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As we address the challenges facing our children, let us not champion their resilience; instead, amplify their voices, and uphold their right to a better future
In every corner of the Philippines, children are growing up in an age of overlapping crises: climate disasters, digital dangers, and economic challenges. Yet, as we observe National Children’s Month in November, their voices are too often absent from the conversations that determine their future. It is time to center their experiences and prioritize investments that empower and protect them.
Recent stories and reports paint a grim picture. A United Nations study revealed that children in Southeast Asia bear the brunt of climate-induced migration, forced to leave their homes and schools behind. Families displaced by typhoons or disasters often face exploitation and abuse, with children suffering the most. Meanwhile, digital spaces — while offering education and connection — have become breeding grounds for online exploitation, exposing children to predators and harmful content.
These challenges are compounded by the pervasive threat of violence against children. In the Asia-Pacific region, violence costs an estimated $209 billion annually — a stark reminder that neglecting child protection is not only morally indefensible but also economically devastating. Here in the Philippines, nearly 35% of children have witnessed domestic violence, a trauma that casts a long shadow over their future.
But crises also reveal opportunities for hope and change. Children, when given the tools and platforms, can be powerful agents of resilience and innovation. Across the region, youth are contributing to disaster risk reduction, leading community risk mapping projects. They are demanding stronger protections in online spaces. They remind us that protecting children is not just about shielding them from harm but also about empowering them to thrive despite adversity.
The Philippine government has an opportunity — and an obligation — to act decisively. Investments in climate-resilient schools, robust child protection systems, and digital safety initiatives must become national priorities. Equally important is ensuring that children are part of the solution. Their voices should guide our policies, from local disaster planning to national digital literacy campaigns.
The National Children’s Month must be more than a symbolic celebration; it should inspire collective action — bringing together government officials, civil society, businesses, and communities — to create a society where all children feel safe, valued, and empowered.
As we address the challenges facing our children, let us not champion their resilience; instead, amplify their voices, and uphold their right to a better future. Protecting our children is not just a moral imperative — it is our greatest hope for a more equitable, just, and prosperous society. The time to act is now. – Rappler.com
Amihan Abueva has been child rights advocate for more than 35 years. She contributes to strengthening the position of NGOs in child protection efforts by building alliances and coalitions at the national, regional, and international level. She is currently the regional executive director of Child Rights Coalition Asia, a regional network of child rights and human-rights focused organizations.
