03/12/2024
๐๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฌ #๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐จ๐ค ๐๐๐, ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ โค๏ธ๐ฉต
With the goal of promoting an inclusive future for all children, the Association of Youth Child Rights Advocates in Davao City (ACAD) kicked off Project at Tugbok National High School on November 14 and 21, 2024.
The project implementation gathered ninety diverse learners from the partner school for both sessions, joined by their school principal and faculty members.
ACAD's youth-led facilitators, together with their adult supporter, spearheaded the project launch which featured learning sessions focusing on child rights and Online S*xual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC),as well as fun and interactive activities.
On the second day of implementation last November 21, Jude Apolonio, the Project Officer of Save the Children Philippines' Project PRIDE, joined ACAD in raising awareness on S*xual Orientation, Gender Identity and S*x Characteristics (SOGIESC) to help the learners understand further about it.
In an interview, Apolonio shared that children with diverse SOGIE, who experiences vulnerabilities to online sexual abuse and exploitation, are increasing.
"Tumataas ang bilang ng mga batang may diverse SOGIE na nai-inline dito sa OSAEC cases. Ito yung mga bata na nakikita nila ang kanilang sarili as a form of livelihood. Ito ang tinatawag nating batang may diverse identity na akala nila na dahil sila ay bakla, walang mawawala kung nagpapakita ng maselang bahagi ng kanilang pangangatawan," he shared.
He added that online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) is the worst form of violence, as many child victims will experience long-term effects on their well-being and personal lives.
"Worst form siya ng violence dahil may pangmatagalang epekto ito lalong-lalo na sa mga bata. Pwedeng magkaroon ng epekto sa kanilang development kung paano sila makipag-socialize. May epekto din ito kung ang kanyang mukha ay makikita at mai-expose sa social media, hindi na siya matatanggal," he added.
Apolonio also emphasized the significance of raising awareness about child rights, OSAEC, and SOGIESC to ensure that children are knowledgeable about their basic rights and the protective measures they can take when facing any form of violence.
"Napaka-importante na i-advocate natin at i-equip natin yung mga bata na dapat alam nila ang kanilang basic rights at alam nila kung sino yung mga taong pwede nilang lapitan once na na-violate ang kanilang karapatan," he emphasized.
The Guidance Counselor of Tugbok National High School, Cheryl Garde, expressed her gratitude to ACAD for bringing the project in their institution and for raising awareness on child rights among their learners.
"Thank you for the opportunity that you've given to Tugbok National High School by bringing your group here to discuss the rights of the children. Through this session, they already know that there are dangers on the internet and how they could protect themselves," she stated.
The project is a proactive campaign on Online S*xual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and awareness-raising campaign on S*xual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and S*x Characteristics (SOGIESC), and it was made possible through the support of Save the Children Philippines and the Pondong Pambata.
ACAD is composed of former child advocates engaged in Save the Children Philippines' OSAEC awareness-raising initiatives, advocacy training, and learning sessions since 2020, who have now turned to youth advocates committed to continuing their advocacy on child rights and other child protection issues in Davao City.
โ๐ผ Clifford James L. Danduan
๐ธ ACAD
