NGO Pushes Stronger Drive vs ‘Girl’ Abuse

Tacloban City (PNA) -– Child rights organization Plan Philippines is pushing for stronger advocacies to eliminate girl discrimination in the country.

Plan Philippines project manager on Gender and Protection Tricia Mazo is hoping for the sustainability of “I am the girl” campaign launched in Eastern Visayas on October 11.

In the region, the campaign focuses on ensuring girls’ welfare after the 2013 super typhoon that ravaged Leyte and Samar provinces.

In the aftermath of disasters, women and children are more vulnerable to abuses, resulting in teenage pregnancy, child labor, trafficking, prostitution and domestic violence.

“The focus to the girls is the promotion of their rights, particularly, each of them will be educated for each girl to be able to be protected and each girl to be empowered. We want to lift up every girl’s dignity,” said Mazo.

Sexual abuse, according to Plan, is evident from the increasing number of teenage pregnancy cases a few months after the catastrophe.

Plan Philippines believes that if only there is right education, the risk of indulging into early sexual activities can be prevented to avoid teenage pregnancy.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), there is a 300 percent increase in the reported cases of abuses to women and children between 2013 to 2014 in the region.

Plan Philippines together with government agencies and other non-government organizations will work hand in hand in the promotion of equal human rights to women and children. (PNA) LAP/PGL/SQM/MAUREEN E. PACIENCIA, LNU INTERN