REPUBLIC Act 10661 of 2015 declares November of every year as Children’s Month. This is in response to the United Nations gathering for the Convention of the Rights of the Child in November 20, 1989.
This year’s theme is “Bata: Iligtas sa Droga.” The Council for the Welfare of Children supports the administration in fighting against illegal drugs.
The Break the Silence Network, a movement of non-government organizations, government agencies, faith-based groups, people’s organizations, children’s groups and individual advocates in the Philippines, aims to open up issues on child abuse and exploitation to prevent and manage these violations of children’s rights.
Other important issues tackled by the group are cybercrime, child labor, child trafficking and other concerns related to children.
The network operates at a national level, establishing partnerships with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd).
In the Visayas, government agencies, non-government organizations, faith based groups, children’s groups, and individual advocates formed the Inter-Visayas Break the Silence Network led by Analie Jan Tarosa, Executive Director of Bakyas Community Development Center Inc. based in Bacolod.
Aside from PNP, DSWD and DepEd, other members include Bakyas Community Development Center, Visayan Forum, Christian Advocates for Justice and Development in Negros, Inc (CAJDEN), Kabalaka Student Center, Pasto Children’s Group, Quidan Kaisahan, Share an Opportunity Philippines, Kalambuan Federation and the Kalipay Negrense Foundation Inc.
The group celebrated Children’s Day recently at the 888 Chinatown Premier. The program was opened with a prayer by Pastor Romilo Gargallano of Kabalaka Student Center followed by the opening remarks by Rona Alabate of Pasto Children’s Group.
Jan Tarosa shared what the Inter-Visayas Break the Silence Network is all about. Rose Jessica Octaviano (this writer) of Kalipay Negrense Foundation discussed the theme of the children’s month, gave a message of hope and encouraged everyone to become champions of children’s rights, not just this Children’s Month but every day.
DepEd-Bacolod supervisor Carmen Navarro gave the closing challenge to parents, teachers and the audience to advocate for children’s rights.
Between the talks, a short film on child abuse was shown to reveal that child abuse really exists in our country. Youth groups performed a play, dance and a song numbers presenting different forms of abuse and resiliency. There were also games before the program and a photo booth was available for fun and remembrance. Advocacy materials were also given out.
Before the program ended, the community of “Small Voice” and Ben Tuanzon of Kabalaka gave the closing prayer.
It was a fun-filled afternoon with new learning and reminders.
Remember to stay alert, speak up and break the silence. Let us all help stop child sexual abuse and exploitation.
To learn more, please visit www.breakthesilence.net.