Learning Brief: Family Learning Sessions as a Pathway to Prevent Child Marriage and Adolescent Pregnancy (Philippines, 2025)

The Family Learning Sessions Research, conducted by Save the Children Philippines in collaboration with the Center for Utilizing Behavioral Insights for Children (CUBIC), explores how families can help prevent child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in the Philippines. Drawing insights from 213 families across urban and rural areas, the study identifies persistent gender norms, communication barriers, and stigma around male participation as key challenges. It highlights that adolescents and parents often lack accurate sexual and reproductive health information, while cultural and religious beliefs continue to reinforce early marriage as a means of preserving family honor. The study recommends rebranding adolescent sexual and reproductive health education to focus on family well-being, promoting buddy systems to sustain participation, and using behavioral incentives to increase engagement. These findings inform improvements to the Family Development Approach (FDA), strengthening family communication and support systems to protect girls and promote gender equality.