Save the Children reiterates call to protect rights of LGBTQIA children
Published Jun 29, 2019 05:12 pm
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Believing that no Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA) child should live in fear and discrimination, an international children’s group urged the government and all other concerned to ensure that their welfare and safety are prioritized at all times.
Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer Albert Muyot (SAVE THE CHILDREN PHILIPPINES / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
In line with the celebration of the Pride Month this June, Save the Children – a the leading child-rights based international organization present in 120 countries for a centenary — reiterates it stand that all children regardless of economic status, ethnicity, religion; and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) have the “fundamental right of every child to have a childhood that is safe, healthy, and free from discrimination.”
In the country, Save the Children Philippines also called for protection of rights of LGBTQI children who “face higher risks of violence such as bullying and humiliation at home, schools, communities and online.”
Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lawyer Albert Muyot said the rights of every child to gender identity and freedom of expression are protected under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which has been in effect in the last 30 years.
Muyot, who is also a former Undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), said that the treaty – ratified by the Philippines – calls for the passage of laws to protect all LGBTQI children aged 18 and below from all forms of violence, discrimination or bullying.
“LGBTQI children have the right to fully enjoy their childhood without fear of discrimination and suffering violence,” Muyot said in a statement. Given this, he added parents, “teachers and carers should be at the forefront of protection of the rights and welfare of LGBTQI children.”
Additionally, Muyot urged “parents need to be aware that mental health problems and risks of suicide are much higher among LGBTQI because they lead a life of fear.” In the Philippines, the group noted that LGBTQI children face more risk of suffering physical violence (75 percent); psychological violence (78.5 percent); and sexual violence (33.8 percent) based on the 2016 Philippine National Baseline Study on Violence against Children (NBS-VAC).
In a consultation with children from Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2016, the group noted that the children “admitted suffering psychological abuse and discrimination from their own families as well as schools and communities.” Children in the Philippines, the group added, often “face exclusion from education, from families and communities, suffer homelessness and bullying” which, in some instances, can include violence and murder, said the results of the consultation on ASEAN-Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) which was supported by Save the Children.
The testimonies of Filipino teenagers include being told by their families that they should be “crucified” and they are not normal and the cause of their parents’ conflicts.
“Low self-esteem, suicide and self-harm are the response of some children to this discrimination,” said the ASEAN SOGIE paper.
It also cited that non-heterosexual orientations should not be treated as psychological disorders, or are caused by illness, trauma, or abuse.
Given this, Save the Children Philippines promotes Positive Discipline by training parents and teachers various ways to strengthen bond with children at home and in schools. The training covers promoting respect and tolerance of every child’s gender identity and freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, Save the Children Philippines called on the DepEd to “sustain its efforts” to promote and protect the rights of LGBT+ persons in the schools by adopting clearer policy guidelines to sensitize the school community and prevent and address discrimination and abuse of LGBT+ children as well as school personnel; and (5) to monitor and intensify support to schools for the implementation of the DepEd Order 40, series of 2012, or Child Protection Policy.
“We also call on parents, teachers and caregivers and everyone to respect the rights of LGBT+ children and provide them with the understanding, love and support that they need as much as any other children,” Save the Children Philippines said.
This year, for the first time, Save the Children Philippines sends an official contingent to the Pride March on July 29, Saturday at Marikina Sports Complex. “We are joining the Pride March in behalf of children who are discriminated, bullied, ridiculed, hurt, and abused because of their sexual orientation, gender identification and expression,” the group said. “We will make their presence felt and voices heard in line with our mandate of promoting respect for children’s rights and ensuring child protection,” it ended.
Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer Albert Muyot (SAVE THE CHILDREN PHILIPPINES / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
In line with the celebration of the Pride Month this June, Save the Children – a the leading child-rights based international organization present in 120 countries for a centenary — reiterates it stand that all children regardless of economic status, ethnicity, religion; and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) have the “fundamental right of every child to have a childhood that is safe, healthy, and free from discrimination.”
In the country, Save the Children Philippines also called for protection of rights of LGBTQI children who “face higher risks of violence such as bullying and humiliation at home, schools, communities and online.”
Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lawyer Albert Muyot said the rights of every child to gender identity and freedom of expression are protected under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which has been in effect in the last 30 years.
Muyot, who is also a former Undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), said that the treaty – ratified by the Philippines – calls for the passage of laws to protect all LGBTQI children aged 18 and below from all forms of violence, discrimination or bullying.
“LGBTQI children have the right to fully enjoy their childhood without fear of discrimination and suffering violence,” Muyot said in a statement. Given this, he added parents, “teachers and carers should be at the forefront of protection of the rights and welfare of LGBTQI children.”
Additionally, Muyot urged “parents need to be aware that mental health problems and risks of suicide are much higher among LGBTQI because they lead a life of fear.” In the Philippines, the group noted that LGBTQI children face more risk of suffering physical violence (75 percent); psychological violence (78.5 percent); and sexual violence (33.8 percent) based on the 2016 Philippine National Baseline Study on Violence against Children (NBS-VAC).
In a consultation with children from Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2016, the group noted that the children “admitted suffering psychological abuse and discrimination from their own families as well as schools and communities.” Children in the Philippines, the group added, often “face exclusion from education, from families and communities, suffer homelessness and bullying” which, in some instances, can include violence and murder, said the results of the consultation on ASEAN-Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) which was supported by Save the Children.
The testimonies of Filipino teenagers include being told by their families that they should be “crucified” and they are not normal and the cause of their parents’ conflicts.
“Low self-esteem, suicide and self-harm are the response of some children to this discrimination,” said the ASEAN SOGIE paper.
It also cited that non-heterosexual orientations should not be treated as psychological disorders, or are caused by illness, trauma, or abuse.
Given this, Save the Children Philippines promotes Positive Discipline by training parents and teachers various ways to strengthen bond with children at home and in schools. The training covers promoting respect and tolerance of every child’s gender identity and freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, Save the Children Philippines called on the DepEd to “sustain its efforts” to promote and protect the rights of LGBT+ persons in the schools by adopting clearer policy guidelines to sensitize the school community and prevent and address discrimination and abuse of LGBT+ children as well as school personnel; and (5) to monitor and intensify support to schools for the implementation of the DepEd Order 40, series of 2012, or Child Protection Policy.
“We also call on parents, teachers and caregivers and everyone to respect the rights of LGBT+ children and provide them with the understanding, love and support that they need as much as any other children,” Save the Children Philippines said.
This year, for the first time, Save the Children Philippines sends an official contingent to the Pride March on July 29, Saturday at Marikina Sports Complex. “We are joining the Pride March in behalf of children who are discriminated, bullied, ridiculed, hurt, and abused because of their sexual orientation, gender identification and expression,” the group said. “We will make their presence felt and voices heard in line with our mandate of promoting respect for children’s rights and ensuring child protection,” it ended.