UMAABOT sa 54,000 ang mga babae na may-asawa na bago sumapit ang kanilang ika-18 taong kaarawan taon-taon.
Batay sa 2013 survey ng Philippine Statistics Authority, 12.2 porsyento ng lahat ng rehistradong nagpakasal ay edad 15 hanggang 19.
“That means that in that one year alone, 53,997 marriages had teenage brides,” ani Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera.
Nababahala si Herrera sa mataas na bilang na ito dahil madalas umano ay nauuwi sa pang-aabuso ang pag-aasawa ng mga menor de edad.
Tatlo umano sa bawat apat na babae na ikinasal bago ang kanilang ika-18 taong kaarawan ay nagpapakasal sa mas matanda sa kanila. “Married girls or child brides have increased risk of violence and abuse as well as life-threatening consequences on health.”
Isinusulong ni Herrera ang pagdeklara na krimen ang pagkasal sa mga menor de edad.
“We are working closely with stakeholders and partner civil society and youth organizations in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and the National Capital Region to ensure that key affected population are consulted and their views on how the issue of child marriage can be addressed are solicited.”
Kapag naisabatas ang panukala, sinabi ni Herrera na dapat matiyak na maipatutupad ito kasabay ng pagpapatupad ng iba pang batas na nagbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga bata at babae.
“Thus, together with stakeholders and allies, we believe that there is an urgent need for a national law explicitly prohibiting child marriage and providing programs and services for prevention and response, to ensure that all Filipino children- boys and especially girls, will have the opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential, and the chance to decide when and with whom to marry.”
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