In line with the celebration of the National Children’s Month and the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC), the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), headed by Ms. Arlie R. Alonzo, RSW, conducted an orientation on November 25, 2024 to the 39 Barangay VAW Desk Officers, our partners in promoting the welfare of women and children in our community.

The first topic, Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) was discussed by Ms. Florabell P. Bao-in from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office I. The second topic, Orientation on Foster Care Program, was discussed by Ms. Marinald Cutiyog of Regional Alternative Child Care Office I (RACCO I).

The National Children’s Month (NCM), or the Republic Act No. 10661, in the Philippines is annually celebrated every November to commemorate the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on 20 November 1989. (dilg.gov.ph)

Meanwhile, VAW was amended to include children, as in VAWC, to emphasize that children are part of the vulnerable population. Republic Act (RA) 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 was established to protect women and children.

This is one of the trainings being conducted to our Barangay VAW Desk Officers to make them more equipped to handle violence cases. The knowledge from this training will hopefully then be cascaded to other Barangay Officials.

Written by: Korina Esteban-Ma