The chair of one of the  Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ‘s third pillar – the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) and Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Judy M. Taguiwalo  today emphasized the importance of giving attention and focus to children’s issues and ensuing the participation of children themselves when it comes to decision-making.

She said that in many impoverished societies, the plight of children remains deeply troubling as issues of child abuse, child labor, malnutrition, and neglect during calamities and human rights violations during incidents of armed conflict continue to proliferate.

Sec. Taguiwalo said that even as private sector groups, government agencies, and international institutions hold awareness campaigns on children’s rights, there is still a need to emphasize the importance of involving children in the decision-making processes of programs and actions that directly affect them.

“Children’s participation in decision-making, practiced in a manner that is free from pressure and manipulation, and that is consistent with the child’s age and maturity, is crucial to the realization of all other children’s rights. The right of children to participate is among the Guiding principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC). It is also clearly emphasized under Articles 12, 13, and 15 of the UN CRC.

For its part, the ASEAN and its member-states have already initiated measures to enhance child participation, which are usually lodged under the national social development programs. At the regional level, the ASEAN Children’s Forum and establishment of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) are some of the platforms for children’s participation,” she said.

“In the Philippines, we see the necessity of engaging children in social issues that have a direct impact on their welfare and very lives. Children are the most vulnerable victims of poverty, exploitation, and social neglect. It is important that studies and programs that declare children’s rights to be their focus genuinely involve children – their views, opinions, and understanding of their own experiences should be heard and considered.

For instance, as they see their own parents struggle against poverty, what is the impact on their young minds and emotions? When we craft programs to help children, we cannot be remiss in consulting the target beneficiaries themselves,” she said.

This year, the ASEAN Children’s Forum and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) are leading the implementation of a baseline study on children’s issues and participation in the ASEAN.  The baseline study will be composed of a regional report and country reports from the 10 member-states.

Sec. Taguiwalo shared that the ACWC’s goal is to ensure the effective implementation of the UN CRC and its Optional Protocols in the region, including the promotion of children’s rights to participation in matters that affect them.

The ACWC has launched the project entitled “ASEAN Consultation on Creating an Enabling Environment for Child Participation.” Led by the Philippines, it is a three-year project that aims to help set a framework for promoting child participation in the ASEAN. It will be comprised of a series of activities including a conduct of a baseline study,  the development of plans of action,  and sharing of experiences.

The baseline study is being conducted from September 2016 until July 2017. Its target respondents are 1. Children; 2. Government ministries responsible for children’s rights; 3. Civil society organizations actively working with children and their families; 4. Individuals and organizations that are members of or working with persons or children with disability, indigenous groups, and other special groups or minorities; 5. Members of the academe; and 6. Religious groups.  The aim of the baseline study is to determine how children can become more engaged in decision-making processes, as well as the factors that prevent them from engaging in the said processes.

“If we want to enable and ensure meaningful child participation in decision-making in the present   set-up, we need the united efforts of parents, communities, schools, organizations, governments, and regional/international bodies/mechanisms.  We are aware, however, that such mechanisms at the national and regional levels are not widely known or maximized by children and their supporters. Children’s efforts to promote their rights do not reach the appropriate people or organizations at the community, national and regional level. This is a concern that all children’s rights supporters should consider and address,” she said.  #