Seed of Hope

    

    Children are the most precious people to ever exist in this world. It is just devastating how some often experience abuse, bullying, and different kinds of violence against them. UNICEF even stated in the year 2016 that 80% of Filipino children have experienced some form of violence at home, in school, in their community and online. The cruelty of this world has led them to become vulnerable to it, leaving them feel unprotected and unopposed. How can there be hope if even our seed of hope are being taken advantage of?

Since then, lots of children have been carrying different pain and torment as they were treated like animals. They're forced to work, flee conflict alone, and even bear a child when they're not supposed too. Some children lack access to education and healthcare because of child labor. They can not go to school even if they wanted to due to the violence being possessed to them by their own relatives. It is like there's a barrier that keeps the children from experiencing the life that is meant for them, the life they truly deserve.

    This needs to stop. Children are also humans and have human rights, just like any other people. They need protection, safety, and support. As we celebrate the 2024 National Children's Month Celebration having the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines, let's pledge as a whole to report child abuse and support the laws and acts that are existing to protect it. Let's not just pledge but be an advocate for stronger, and more comprehensive child protection laws.

References:

Picture 1: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.savethechildren.org.ph%2Four-work%2Four-stories%2Fstory%2Fjfa-prevent-physical-and-humiliating-punishment-of-children%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAQ>

Picture 2: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fndaa.org%2Ftraining%2Fbreaking-through-misconceptions-prosecuting-child-sexual-abuse%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI>

Picture 3: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wheninmanila.com%2Fsave-the-children-philippines-enactment-of-anti-online-sexual-abuse-or-exploitation-of-children-law%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAY>