Davao City – Children will march on the streets to symbolize their condemnation against child trafficking and other violation of children’s rights.
Jeanette Laurel-Ampog, executive director of Talikala, said that about 200 children and their parents from barangays Lapu-lapu, Matina Aplaya, Sasa, 5-A, Mintal, 76-A and Leon Garcia will march on October 24.
“The children demand an end to child labor and child trafficking, and poverty,” she said.
About 61 cases of child trafficking were monitored for 2014 alone. The children victims from Davao city were taken to other provinces like Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and even in South Cotabato where they were prostituted.
During a press conference last Monday, “Nerl”, 17, spoke about her experience on child labor while her younger sibling worked as an “umbrella holder” in the Bangkerohan Public Market.
“They would hold a large umbrella for consumers for five pesos, while some of my friends also help their parents collect various seashells to sell,” said Nerl.
Nerl said, “the children will not be forced into child labor if the parents earn enough for them.”
Talikala’s recent survey in Davao City noted the rising number of girl children who help their parents in their livelihood.
“There are some of us who because of hunger resort to prostitution. We children cannot bear to see our family hungry. We have to earn even a little to contribute,” said “Mary”, 16, also a child-advocate and volunteers for Talikala.(davaotoday.com)
