The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) together with its partner agencies and organizations expressed commitment to continue safeguarding and promoting the rights and welfare of the children amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The DSWD made the commitment as it is expected to lead the observance of this year’s National Children’s Month (NCM) in November, along with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), National Youth Commission (NYC), and other partner government agencies and organizations.
“The DSWD remains committed to protect and uphold the rights of children by continuously establishing stronger and more unified platforms to address policy gaps and programs necessary in creating a safe and friendly environment for the full participation and realization of children’s rights around the country,” it said in a statement.
The theme of the month-long activity is “New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata Ating Tutukan!”
The DSWD said the theme “aims to give attention to the difficulties experienced by children in the new normal setting such as concerns on their rights to survival, development, protection, and participation.”
The annual celebration of the NCM is provided for by Republic Act No. 10661. It also sought to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Nov. 20, 1989.
The celebration will continue with the gains of the previous NCM celebrations which is anchored on the 3rd National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC) Goals to progressively realize the rights of children, the DSWD said.
NCM Activities
The DSWD said all NCM activities will be held virtually and will be live streamed at Facebook page of the CWC at https://www.facebook.com/CWCgovph/ and cross posted at the DSWD Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dswdserves/.
The NCM’s online kick off ceremony will be held on Nov. 3. It will feature messages of support from children, youth leaders, national agency partners, and child rights supporters and advocates, the DSWD said.
As part of the NCM celebration, learning sessions with children will be conducted by the CWC and Consuelo Foundation every Saturday of November.
The DSWD said the culminating activities and awarding of winners of the NCM Logo-Making Contest will be held on Nov. 26.
Child protection
As head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP), the DSWD urged the public to join them in addressing online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the country.
“Concerned citizens are encouraged to remain alert and report to the authorities all forms of abuses against children through the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP) Hotline (02) 8931-9141 or send text message Text DSWD