STRENGTHENING PROTECTION FOR ALL FILIPINO KIDS

The Department of Education established the Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO) and the Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline where learners can report cases of abuse, including online child sexual exploitation. The DepEd is committed to addressing child abuse and strengthening the protection for all Filipino children—making sure that they are safe, both online and offline, according to Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte. The Education chief is advocating for the strengthening of mutual efforts to protect the rights and welfare of women, children, and adolescent girls in vulnerable situations alongside the promotion of a safer digital community in the country. She is urging everyone to work with vigor and enthusiasm in promoting the advancement of inclusive digital education, and remain relentless in fighting gender-based violence committed against Filipino women and girls at home. The Education Secretary also recognized the contributions of women in innovation and technology, calling them “integral players” in nation-building. Women are now leading the way in politics, business, peace advocacy, media, manufacturing, social development, and other crucial sectors and aspects of society. The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) underscored the safety and security of women amidst the dangers and risks of the digital realm. According to PCW, there should be no room for privacy breaches, gender stereotypes, body shaming, sexual harassment, electronic VAW (Violence Against Women), and trafficking in persons in cyberspace. Instead, let’s make digital their space to thrive, connect, inspire, and excel.

-oOoThe author is Teacher I at San Roque Elementary School