Rebuilding Naima’s story of courage: Preventing and responding to child marriage
Building stronger protection services
At age 14, Naima* made the tough decision to run away from home—because her parents wanted to marry her off to a man she doesn't even know.
Together with her cousin, she ran to a police station and filed a complaint against her parents.
In 2021, the Philippine government enacted Republic Act No. 11596, a law that prohibits child marriage and imposes stiff penalties on those who participate in or facilitate marriage of a person under the age of 18. However, child marriage is still practiced in certain cultures and religions in the Philippines.
“I did not know what to do, so I ran away,” Naima recalled when she learned about her parents’ plan to have her marry a man who was more than twice her age. “I decided to do that because if I let them do what they want, I will not be able to continue my studies.”
At the police station, Naima was received by the Women and Children’s Protection Desk.
Social workers listened to her concerns and helped her navigate this tumultuous time. These professionals, together with community partners, play a vital role in preventing child marriage by raising awareness, providing education, and facilitating open dialogues between children and their families.
I did not know what to do, so I ran away. I decided to do that because if I let them do what they want, I will not be able to continue my studies.
After exhausting all options, Naima had to be placed in a centre for children and women in Maguindanao, even if this was the last resort.
Licensed social workers like Rosario Quitoras, Social Welfare Officer II and the centre’s head guide and accompany children like Naima through educational and recreational activities, while working on family reunification or searching for family-based alternative care, ensuring that they are safe and that their needs are met.
Now 16 years old, Naima said she has already forgiven her parents, but she has no desire to come home at the moment.
As part of family reunification efforts, Rosario met Naima’s family and tried to help them recognize the importance of protecting children’s rights and making decisions that prioritize their wellbeing and to ensure that it is safe for the child to come home.
During one intervention, Naima came face-to-face with her parents. “Her parents said that they realize that what they did was wrong, and they regret it,” said Rosario, but also stated that an assessment still needs to be done to determine if they will act in Naima’s best interests.
But for Naima, what’s done is done, and she’s still worried that the same thing might happen if she comes home.
Rosario said that she is continuing to find other relatives of Naima who might be able to take care of her.
“All Naima wants is to finish her studies, so that when the time comes for her to leave the centre, she can support herself,” she added.
Her parents said that they realize that what they did was wrong, and they regret it. All Naima wants is to finish her studies, so that when the time comes for her to leave the centre, she can support herself.
Survivors learn skills such as cooking and arts and crafts, which help them prepare for life outside of the centre. They even sell some of the products they make—from bracelets to banana chips—and the proceeds go to a fund that they can access to buy snacks or other things they may want.
“Our mommies [house parents] teach us how to read even just a little, and they also teach us household chores,” said Naima. “They also teach us how to respect our companions.”
“Naima is a fast learner. She writes well,” said Rosario. “And she is helpful to the little children here whenever we have activities.”
UNICEF believes that every child should grow up in a safe and loving family. Their approach focuses on preventing children from being separated from their families by supporting services in communities. Social workers can serve as trusted mediators and connectors between families and the services they need. They are often the first line of response for children in harm’s way, and UNICEF equips them to identify risks, manage family crises, and promote safe, nurturing environments. This includes helping parents and children rebuild trust, improve communication, and resolve conflicts in ways that prevent unnecessary separation.
Second, if children cannot live with their parents, UNICEF promotes and prioritizes family-based alternatives like kinship care (with relatives) or foster care in line with international agreements like the UN Guidelines on Alternative Care and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Until she is ready to strike out on her own, Naima will continue to chase her dream of finishing school, and Rosario will be there to support her. “I’ve never had a problem with Naima since I started working here,” said Rosario. “I don’t need to instruct her that much because she knows what’s right and wrong.”
Naima is currently in 6th grade, studying through the Alternative Learning System that holds classes every Thursday. She said she wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
Led by the Korean Government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and in partnership with UNICEF, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), and Community and Family Services International (CFSI), this initiative strengthens the Multidisciplinary Team’s (MDT) capacity to handle child protection cases, including cases like Naima. The MDT comprises social workers, health workers, police officers, and other key community stakeholders.
Together with other partners, UNICEF aims to raise awareness on the importance of ensuring children are protected at home, in school, in the community, and online.
*name changed to protect identity
