Child rights group: UNICEF State of the World's Children report not new in PHL

‘Go to the slum areas and see for yourself.’ Akap Bata, a child rights party-list poses this challenge to PNoy administration in the light of the State of the World's Children 2012 released just recently by UNICEF. Akap Bata Party-List Secretary General Arlene Brosas said this should call government’s attention “to what’s right in front of our faces: the poverty and deprivation of our children and people, and do something significant about it.” According to the UNICEF report, “hundreds of millions of children in cities across the world are growing up in poverty and enduring deprivation, and that many children in urban areas lack access to electricity, clean water and education. They are also at high risk of contracting diseases due to unsanitary conditions and suffering from malnutrition.” The report also emphasizes that “these children are at high risk of exploitation and trafficking, as well as becoming victims of violence.” Brosas states that "the report just reflects the condition for generations of Filipino children in the urban poor setting.” Brosas hits the systemic neglect for a concrete children's program that benefits all Filipino children that addresses the problems to its core. Stressing the fact that parents and carers are pillars of child rearing, Brosas explained that "We all know that if our children's parents and carers suffer from joblessness, poverty and social injustice, the children usually shoulder the bigger burden. It affects them physically, emotionally and mentally". Brosas cited the lack of social services that should benefit the children. She further added that 7 out of 10 children do not have access to early childhood care and nutrition. "Especially these times that the prices of oil and basic commodities are skyrocketing, the government has proclaimed that they cannot do anything about it. These seemingly simple statements of complacency and neglect are a clear notion that the government does not heed the rights and needs of our children." As a legally binding agreement and as one of the signatories, Brosas finally urged the government to strictly adhere and fully implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Press release from Akap Bata Party-List