In celebration of the National Children’s Month, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has called on Sunday, Nov. 1, to unite in protecting children against harm and invest in their development.
In a statement, CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia urged the public to uphold children’s rights amid any circumstances.
“Children may not be as vulnerable to COVID-19 as other age groups but they equally suffer from the secondary effects and the measures taken to combat the virus. Many children have suffered from cruel and degrading measures for violating curfew rules and protocols particularly during the beginning of the quarantine,” De Guia said.
CHR spokesperson said that there is an increase in online sexual exploitation and domestic abuse of children particularly in poor families due to the socio-economic effects of the pandemic.
“The mental health and normal development of children are hugely impacted as they adjust to distance learning; confinement at home, which limits their social interaction; and coping with the loss of livelihood of their parents and/or guardians,” she added.
De Guia underscored that the welfare of the children and their best interest are the primordial in normal times and even more during a period of crisis.
She noted that raising awareness in communities can be a proactive way to protect children, as well as other individuals can be partners as well, in preventing and reporting abuses within their locality and neighborhood.
De Guia has called the public to create a positive environment for children despite these challenging times.
“Through our collective effort, let us foster a nurturing environment where the rights of all children are protected and their needs are provided to enable them to hope, dream, and grow amid the disruption brought on by the pandemic,” she added.