As the nation celebrates the 10th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week (JJWeek) on Nov. 21 to 27, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) renewed their commitment to continue raising awareness and promoting children’s rights.
This year’s JJWeek celebration focuses on children’s involvement and participation under the new normal. It is anchored on the theme “Batang Handa at May Alam, Kaisa sa Pagharap sa Bagong Normal.” The celebration will be led by the DSWD and the JJWC.
“The DSWD and the JJWC commit to initiate more activities to raise awareness on the plight of CAR (children at risk) and CICL (children in conflict with the law) and provide avenues for them to share their ideas and perspectives on issues that matter most to them,” read the statement issued by the DSWD on Thursday, Nov. 18.
The DSWD said the JJWeek activities were aimed at creating and increasing awareness on the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) and its full implementation in the context of the new normal among stakeholders, implementers, and the public.
Included in the list of activities is the Tiktok Challenge which aims to showcase valuable recommendations from the Filipino youth sector on child protection, specifically in line with the proper handling of children relative to violations of local ordinances such as curfew during the community quarantine and new normal. The participants are expected to create creative short form mobile videos forcing on the theme, “#AngAmbagKo: Kabataan, Share Mo Ambag Mo sa Pagsugpo ng COVID-19!”
Also part of the celebration is the JJWA Talks – JJWA in the New Normal Podcast Series which will be live streamed every Wednesday of November on the JJWC Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
"The program will discuss how the rights and welfare of children, especially children at risk (CAR) and children in conflict with the law (CICL), are protected and promoted amidst the pandemic. It will also tackle activities and tips on how children and their families can adapt to the new normal.”
The DSWD said a Webinar for CICL under the Temporary Protective Custody of Bahay Pag-Asa will also be held on Nov. 24.
The webinar is expected to provide opportunities for children to participate in activities to gain new skills that they can use when they are reintegrated with their families and communities. it will also serve as a vehicle where they express their views regarding their current situation.
The DSWD said together with the JJWC, it will continue enhancing policies, mechanisms, and programs towards the effective and efficient implementation of the JJWA.
The annual celebration of the JJWeek is provided under Presidential Proclamation No. 489 series of 2012 and Republic Act No. 10661 declaring November as the National Children’s Month.
“It serves as a reminder that Filipinos should celebrate and recognize the children and youth as the most valuable asset of the nation,” the DSWD said.