Manila, Oct. 7 -- Cultural and religious norms, poverty and weak law enforcement continue to drive cases of child marriage in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - Philippines said Tuesday.

In a webinar, the organization launched the report titled Understanding Factors Driving Child, Early, and Forced Marriage and Unions (CEFMU).

It revealed that early and forced marriages remain prevalent in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) despite the passage of Republic Act 11596 or the Prohibition of Child Marriage law.

In Jolo, Sulu, and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, two of the region's most affected areas, families often view early marriage as a means to preserve family honor or adhere to religious expe...