As responsible citizens, it is our commitment to safeguard the welfare of the children.
The proclamation of the National Children’s Month celebration this November is a clever move by the government. It serves as a gateway of the youngsters to certainly create a brighter day.
Recommended various activities for the said event aims to realize and promote survival, development, participation and protection rights of every child.
The theme of this year’s Children’s Month is “New normal na walang iwanan: Karapatan ng bawat bata ating tutukan!” It suggests that children’s rights in the new normal must be given attention.
A research conducted by Save the Children Philippines showed an increase of violence against children globally. It is heart-breaking that this violence was inflicted mostly by parents and caregivers. Amplified negative feelings and reduced psycho-social well-being in the household brought by loss of income from lockdown measures are the roots.
Based on the study, at least one in six children reported physical and verbal violence at home during the lockdowns.
Further, there are 19 percent of abuse children whose families lost their household income source, while there is only five percent for children whose families did not lose their source of income.
The pandemic also worsens children’s sexual abuse and exploitation in our country. Rape cases were recorded and reported in different provinces. Increase in the number of cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of Filipino children was also observed due to loss of parent’s income. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received reports from CyberTipline. The report identified 1,200,000 online sexual abuse and exploitation cases in 2020 from more than 400,000 in 2019.
The continuous existence of violence will bring misery, pains, and sufferings to children. This may lead to death of their dreams of making a brighter day or future.
Hence, parents must enhance their sensitivity and accountability towards their children’s welfare. They should not let them agonize because of financial and emotional glitches. The best thing for them to do is seek assistance or support from government agencies like Department of Social Welfare and Development. Strengthening their faith in God is also a necessity. This will enlighten their minds to always think positively in times of adversity.
Government officials must also double their efforts to assist the families who are desperately affected by pandemic. They should implement more projects and programs that can cater their needs.
Activities to maintain mental health of individuals must be given importance. This is to help them overcome their problems, boredom, worries, and other negative emotions during critical situations.
Implementation of child protection policies must be intensified to ensure the safety and security of children. Their innocence and fragility needs close monitoring and full attention of their families and authorities.
Worldwide suicide cases and suicidal attempts still existed during pandemic. In the Philippines, there are reported suicides among children. Ironically, difficulty in answering activities in the modules and inconsideration of teachers and administrators are some of the specified reasons.
A research study of Anthony Cousien et. al of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Paris in France revealed that there is a 40.5 percent increase of children’s suicide attempts in early November to December 2020.
Cousien and colleagues stated that children’s specific sensitivity to mitigation measures, adverse effects on family health and economic conditions, increased screen time and social media use or bereavement may have affected acceleration.
Suicide is not a joke, especially among children. Killing their own self is already the end of their rights and dreams. Thus, let us all join our hands and together watch and protect their rights and prioritize their welfare.
Smile and laughter are signs of a brighter day to children. We must be the instrument of their freedom, happiness, and success. In the end, they will be our source of hope, joy, strength, and contentment. (JENELYN J. AGAYO)
April 19, 2024
