Africa Business Radio

The Philippines on Thursday passed a law banning child marriage as the practice took effect in a country where one in six girls enters wedlock before the age of 18. A new law, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte and released to the public on Thursday, lays out prison terms of up to 12 years for marrying or cohabiting with anyone under 18. People arranging or solemnising underage unions face the same penalty. The government says the law is consistent with international conventions on the rights of women and children.