The COVID-19 pandemic has brought an immense disturbance to humanity. People’s movement became limited and access to basic and essential services is interrupted. It brought an immeasurable impact on the welfare and protection especially to children causing trauma which affect their rights to survive and participate safely and fully.
National Children’s Month is an activity annually conducted every month of November by virtue of Republic Act No. 10661 to commemorate the rights of children. This is also in observance to the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989. This year’s celebration marks the 28th anniversary that focused on Upholding Children’s Rights during the Pandemic like Covid-19, with the theme “Sama-samang Itaguyod ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya!”
The COVID-19 crisis affected children in different ways. To limit the spread of COVID-19, school closure is being implemented causing loss of access to essential learning and social interactions. Moreover, as the primary focused of health institution is treating COVID-19, children’s protection against preventable diseases is left unnoticed. Having also an inadequate access to healthy and nutritious meals, children are chiefly vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition. Furthermore, as large number of families cannot make a living, loss of family income will result to additional deprivation of children and the severe economic destitutions can increased risk of violence, abuse, child labor, exploitation, forced marriage and trafficking.
Hence, the campaign aims to intensify public awareness on children’s rights and knowledge, adequate care for children, and application of positive discipline in daily dealings with children; promote further the institutionalization of a child-friendly environment and governance by promoting implementation and monitoring of child-related protocols at the sub-national levels; provide a platform for discourse on persistent and arising issues pertaining to children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation during and post COVID -19; empower the children as rights-holders to claim and protect their rights; and equip the duty-bearers to deliver their commitment and fulfill their obligations to protect children and fulfill rights of children.
The National Nutrition Region XII joins in the celebration of the 2020 National Children’s Month through sharing and posting National Children’s Month advocacy materials on the official social media account, hanging of prototype streamer and participating in all NCM-related activities like reciting the solemn oath on the promotion and protection of the rights of a child, the “Panatang Makabata” Hiligaynon version. Likewise, the Local Government Units (LGUs) are also encouraged to efficiently deliver supports and to contribute in reaching a child-friendly society, by, and with our Children.
Keeping the children’s health in all aspect during the Covid-19 pandemic is much needed. Congregating all key stakeholders to work hand in hand to ensure that the rights of children are upheld and supported so that they may reach their full potential as they are the most valuable asset of the nation for future generation. (NOILaurito/NOIIIFlores/NPC)
