The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated its strong commitment to ending child labor in the Philippines, coinciding with the worldwide observance of World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL) 2024 on June 12th.
This year's local theme, "Bawat Bata, Malaya: Mithiin ng Nagkakaisang Bansa" (Every Child, Free: The Dream of a United Nation), underscores the DSWD's call for collective action. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) emphasized on Thursday, June 13th, the importance of a unified approach to ensure every child is safeguarded from exploitation and abuse.
"We at the DSWD, along with our partner agencies, NGOs, and most importantly, the Filipino people, have a shared responsibility to create a nurturing environment where children can thrive," Dumlao said. "This means providing them with access to quality education, healthcare, and safe spaces where they can learn and grow."
The DSWD highlighted its SHIELD (Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood, and Other Developmental Interventions) Program as a key tool in achieving this goal. The program works on multiple fronts:
- Information Dissemination: Raising awareness about child labor laws and the negative impacts of child work through educational campaigns.
- Education and Skills Development: Equipping children at risk of child labor or those already involved with opportunities for formal education or technical skills training, allowing them to pursue decent work in the future.
- Livelihood Assistance: Providing support to families to alleviate poverty, a major root cause of child labor. This may include livelihood grants, skills training for parents, or referrals to employment programs.
- Developmental Interventions: Offering psycho-social services and counseling to children affected by child labor to help them heal and reintegrate into society.
The DSWD acknowledges that eradicating child labor is a complex challenge, but through collaborative efforts and a multi-pronged approach like the SHIELD program, the department expresses confidence that a future free from child exploitation is achievable.