UNICEF report: Despite progress, Filipino kids still deprived of basic rights, protection from abuse

Despite "significant" leaps in the improvement of child rights in the Philippines in recent years, Filipino children still face multiple deprivations and vulnerabilities that get in the way of their survival, development, protection and participation, according to a situation analysis launched by UNICEF on Tuesday.

A summary of the latest Situation Analysis of Children in the Philippines noted that since the country ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children in 1990, some progress has been made, including the reduction of infant mortality from 41 to 21 per 1,000 live births and under-5 child mortality from 59 to 27 between 1990 and 2015.

However, UNICEF pointed out, "While this represents major progress, more intense work is needed to further reduce infant and child mortality" to targets of 15 and 22 per 1,000 respectively.

The report, based on data gathered in 2017, showed that under-5 mortality in the ARMM "is still high" at the rate of 55 per 1,000 live births, even as the country reduced the overall child mortality rate from 1990 and 2015.

UNICEF said the ARMM figure for under-5 mortality is still "a long way" from the national targets of 15 for infants and 22 for children under five.

Basic needs

Other key findings of the situation analysis includes the number of children living below the basic needs poverty line. The figure stands at 31 percent nationwide, and 63 percent in the ARMM.

Poor nutrition among very young children in the Philippines, on the other hand, was considered a "major problem," with 33 percent of children under five stunted, or too short for their age, and 21 percent underweight.

When it comes to access to safe drinking water, the Philippines comes close to reaching "universal" level.

However, it was noted that the those without access belong to the poorest households, with only 80 percent having basic drinking water, compared to 99 per cent of the wealthiest households. The analysis also revealed that only 62 percent of people in ARMM have access to safe drinking water.

Meanwhile, while education was described as "encouraging," the analysis pegged there are still an estimated 2.85 million children aged 5-15 who remain out of school.

UNICEF explained that as of 2015, only 91 percent were enrolled in primary school while only 68 percent were enrolled for secondary education. "Substantially lower rates" were recorded in ARMM with 75 percent and 29 percent for primary and secondary school respectively.

Abuse

Children in the Philippines were also found to experience "high" levels of violence, regardless of socio-economic status. The report said "2 in 3 are physically, and psychologically, abused."

Cyberviolence, the report added, "has emerged as a serious threat with the Philippines becoming "a source, transit and destination country for commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking."

UNICEF said the country missed its Millennium Development Goals in these areas by the target year of 2015.

Recommendations

Measures proposed by the Situation Analysis of Children in the Philippines to address barriers and causes that prevent girls and boys from accessing their rights include the following:

• Creating child-friendly laws and policies that are effectively implemented
• Increasing government spending for quality social services
• Improving gathering and use of data on vulnerable groups of children
• Conducting more research on the implications of social norms on children’s rights and promoting positive social norms

According to UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander, "the situation analysis will guide the Philippines to address key issues such as how to channel the dividends of economic growth to EVERY Filipino child—especially the one in three living in poverty and those who fall off the radar for living in remote, marginalized communities or due to their social-economic, religious, ethnic identity."

Sylwander added that the report "offers a framework for a wide range of issues affecting children, so we are able to support the government to improve the systems and services to reach children in need" and that the UNICEF "as always, is ready to support the Government through our 70-year strong partnership.”

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) served as UNICEF’s key partner in conducting the research along with a large number of line departments.

At the launch, NEDA Assistant Secretary Carlo Bernardo Abad Santos, representing Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, thanked UNICEF for the initiative and support in putting together the situation report.

“The spirit of partnership especially with UNICEF is invaluable in ensuring enabling environment for the children to achieve their full potential,” Santos said. — Margaret Claire Layug/BM, GMA News