How do we protect our children?
Promoting Child Rights Protection
The Republic Act 9344 known as the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006 celebrated 10 years of its existence. This law recognizes the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty and exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development. It further defines a child at risk and a child in conflict with the law. This law also points to the minimum age of criminal liability: A child fifteen (15) years of age or under at the time of the commission of the offense shall be exempt from criminal liability.
Children are often used in drug trafficking nowadays because of this exemption. Hence, some call for a lowering of this minimum age so that children committing heinous crimes can be put behind bars. Child rights advocates insist that in these instances, children are victims too.
The Philippines signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Since signing the UN CRC, the government is obliged to recognize the full spectrum of human rights for all children and strengthen efforts in enforcing the rights of children. Different branches of government call for increasing programs that protect children's rights:
The Department of Interior and Local Government urges barangays to promote children's rights in the search for child-friendly barangays.
The Department of Education (Dep Ed) issued a memorandum on its child protection policy, policy and guidelines on protecting children in school from abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying and other forms of abuse. Dep Ed also strengthens protection for the reintegration of children at risk and children in conflict with the law.
The Department of Justice created a Committee for the Special Protection of Children.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has rescued over 150 victims of webcam sex tourism and other forms of child abuse.
In the UN CRC, the guiding principles of the Convention include non-discrimination, adherence to the best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development, and the right to participate. In our own ways, we can also promote children's rights and help in the reintegration of children at risk and children in conflict with the law. Questions that need to be answered:
1. What are the different approaches to reintegrate children at risk and children in conflict with the law?
2. On prevention: suggest ways on how we can keep children our of trouble and out of harm's way.
3. What enabling environment can allow children to claim their own rights?
Notice
NOTICE:
Ms Jocelyn Espina and Ms Vivian Calupe are no longer affiliated with The Share A Child Movement, Inc and are not authorized to transact business in behalf of The Share A Child Movement, Inc.
My grandmother's legacy
In the first quarter of 2014, we lost both my Lola Sising and my auntie Nina. This left TSACMI crippled, with doubts that the programs and activities would continue. Today I have taken auntie Nina's place as Executive Director. I hope that the people who are part of the organization as members, benefactors, staff, alumni and beneficiaries, would continue to believe in our cause and would continue to support our efforts to uplift the lives of our children in communities, so that we may make Cebu a better place to live in.
This is The Share A Child Movement, Inc - my Lola Sising's legacy. Help me keep it alive and serving!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
The Share A Child Movement Inc conducts advocacy campaigns in the community to promote awareness on child pornography, child sex abuse and child trafficking. We envision children empowered to become productive citizens of the world.
Children from our Community-Based Approach against Trafficking (ComBAT) project in Cebu were asked to answer the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Talisay City
Kenny Mark R. Abadilla is a 12 year old grade 6 student from Tangke Elementary School in Talisay City. At his very young age, he dreams of a profession in Marine and Transportation. Kenny wants to be a successful Seaman someday to be able to help his family.
Cebu City
From Barangay Basak Pardo in Cebu City, 11 year old Joanna Kyla C. Boragay attends grade 6 at Basak Pardo Elementary School. Joana answered, “When I grow up I want to be a teacher someday. I want to help street children to learn and how to give love with each other. Some street children will not do the right thing but I will do my best to teach them how to do the right thing.”
Mandaue City
From Barangay Umapad in Mandaue City, 11 year old Joice Marie Bate is a Grade 5 student of Umapad Elementary School. She wants to be a teacher someday because she wants to help her family: “When I grow-up and become adult I want to bring my family out of this dumping site and live in another place with no pollution and with a safe environment” she said.
Consolacion
Ervien G. Tapia hails from Barangay Lamac in the municipality of Consolacion, Cebu. He is 12 years old. He said: “When I grow up I want to be a successful teacher because I want to help my family in their financial needs. When I am already an adult I will be a successful businessman so that I can help my family and support the education of my siblings.”
What can we do to help these children achieve these dreams and ambition?
We hope to ensure that their basic rights as a child are protected, and that we can assist them to stay in school until the graduate and become employable or sustainable. Will you give us support and lend a helping hand to make sure these kids stay in school? It only takes Php 6,000 to keep one child in elementary or secretary for one year. Additional Php 3,000 will allow that scholar to participate in the monthly meetings for personal development and to attend conferences, child congress and other local forums.
Opening parade for the 18 day Campaign to End Violence against Women
The Share A Child Movement Inc participates in the opening parade for the 18 day Campaign to End Violence against Women (VAW) in cooperation with the Philippine Women's Commission (PWC) and the Inter-agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT-7).
Be More Donation
The Share A Child Movement Inc would like to express deepest gratitude to Be More volunteers who have donated funds for us to purchase this much-needed vehicle. We have driven it to the dumpsite areas in our partner barangays with the volunteers. We have also driven it up the mountain barangays. It has proven very useful in our projects and activities. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the staff and the scholars,THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Helen V. Madamba
Executive Director
The Share A Child Movement Inc