What we do
UNICEF is supporting the Sixth Country Programme for Children (CPC 6) with the national government and the involvement of all sectors of society to provide the best quality of life for every Filipino child through programmes that help them survive and flourish.
Children in Need of Special Protection
Issue:
More children in the Philippines are becoming victims of abuse, violence and exploitation. Nearly 1.7 million children do not have birth documents. Having no birth documents deprives children of basic health, educational and protection services, therefore making them increasingly vulnerable to different forms of abuse and exploitation. The country lacks a national child protection monitoring and reporting system to determine the exact number of children in need of special protection, such as victims of abuse, violence and exploitation.
Despite recent economic gains, 36.8 per cent of the population still live below the national poverty line, with 47.5 per cent of the population living on less than US$ 2 per day. Poverty has pushed many children to work to fend for their families, which usually places them in situations of abuse and exploitation.
Children affected by armed conflict remains a concern. From 2001-2005, records show a total of 1,025,426 internally displaced persons nationwide. In the past four years, 30,000-50,000 of children are displaced every year as a result of armed conflict. Basic services in most conflict-affected communities are often either absent or severely deficient. The lack of basic services and opportunities in these communities has driven children to become involved with armed groups. The lack of access to education and other basic services has been associated with increased participation of children in armed groups.
Nevertheless, significant breakthroughs have been made for the protection of children in the Philippines. For example, the historic passage of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act raised the age of criminal liability from 9 to 15 years old and ensures children are not placed in adult jails. More networks and alliances for child protection are continuously being established, ensuring a more protective environment for children in need, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Action:
UNICEF works to provide a safe and protective environment for children identified as vulnerable and to victims of abuse, exploitation and violence, by educating families to prevent abuse, violence and exploitation, and enabling children-at-risk to protect themselves through rescue, healing and recovery services.
UNICEF supports the development and strengthening of child protection networks at community, local and national levels. We also support the establishment of more Child Protection Units, child-friendly investigation studios and specialised courts to help victims of child abuse and exploitation.
UNICEF supported massive advocacy and lobbying activities that contributed to the passage of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act and the issuance of its Implementing Rules and Regulations. We are watching the proper implementation of the law and are orienting the public about its implications.
We help increase access to preventive and protective services for children at risk as well as children victims of abuse, exploitation and trafficking. These services range from access to educational opportunities, life skills training, vocational training, and HIV and AIDS prevention education, to health services and psychosocial interventions. UNICEF also helps build the capacity of professionals working with and for children.
For children in conflict areas, we work to provide basic social, health and psychological services. We organize youth groups to be peace advocates and provide opportunities for them to express themselves.
We also support assessments and studies on child protection issues and help strengthen data collection, monitoring and reporting systems.
Impact
Legal protection and juvenile justice
Passage of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act Bill into law
Passage of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003
By 2006, all children jailed in Metro Manila and Cebu province were taken out of adult prison cells.
Police, court officials and jail officers were trained to properly handle cases involving children.
The Supreme Court has adopted child-sensitive rules and procedures including video-conferencing in courts to spare children the trauma of testifying and coming face to face with their abusers.
The National Police has included into its detective management course the module on child-sensitive investigation.
Children and armed conflict
The President issued an executive order that mandated the inclusion of peace education in basic education.
Trained teachers, school principals and supervisors on peace education exemplars
Reached 64 conflict-affected villages and provided a variety of services for more than 20,000 children including basic health, early childhood care, vocational education, youth organizing, rights advocacy and disaster management.
Organized dialogues with different non-state armed groups on child rights and peace
Street children, trafficking and sexual exploitation
Increased community awareness on child trafficking in 471 communities identified as key sending or transit areas of children and women
Educational assistance to 6,816 elementary and high school children at-risk and life skills education and vocational training to 1,200 others
Implemented “Internet Safety for Kids” in over 600 Internet cafés nationwide
Two major studies produced on trafficking of Filipino children and children in armed conflict
Local action plans to address child pornography have been developed by 24 UNICEF-assisted focus areas
Donate now!
Helping children survive and thrive is a team effort. That is why UNICEF Philippines counts on corporate and individual donations to continue its work for children all over the archipelago. Any amount goes a long way in delivering commitments for children and ensuring that they grow up to become healthy, happy and productive Filipinos.
Help us bring a brighter tomorrow for all children through your heartfelt donation.
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