STRENGTHENING PROTECTION FOR ALL FILIPINO KIDS

JOY A. BENGCO

The Department of Education 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 agency 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.

With this, cases of abuse - including online child sexual exploitation - can now be reported via the Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO) and the Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline which were both established by the DepEd.

The Education Chief also said everyone should work with 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.

She also said women are “integral players” in nation-building, recognizing the contributions of women in innovation and technology, noting that women are now leading the way in politics, business, peace advocacy, media, manufacturing, social development, and other crucial sectors and aspects of society.

For its part, the Philippine Council for 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 a TEACHER III at FRANCISCO HENSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL