Youth & Children

Philippines Protestants to Arroyo: What’s so special about child rapist?

?What a harlot she has become!
She once was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her?
but now murderers!
Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water.
Your rulers are tyrants, partners of thieves.
All are greedy for profit and chase after bribes.
They show no justice to the orphan,
the cause of the widow is never heard.?
– Isaiah 1:21-23

Women and children in Philippine society have become the least of the least?no one to give them justice and no one to hear their cause. They might as well be orphans and widows!
(more…)

Continue ReadingPhilippines Protestants to Arroyo: What’s so special about child rapist?

Philippines: Gabriela condemns Jalosjos commutation

MANILA — ?We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, Malaca?ang’s travesty of the Filipino women’s dignity by commuting Jalosjos’ sentence.? This was the statement of Gabriela secretary general Emmi de Jesus on the commutation of prison term of convicted rapist former Congressman Romeo Jalosjos.
(more…)

Continue ReadingPhilippines: Gabriela condemns Jalosjos commutation

Fighting rural poverty key to elimination of hazardous child labour in agriculture

Today is World Day Against Child Labour

GENEVA ? The theme 2007 being on elimination of child labour in agriculture, especially the worst forms, the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) is pleased to join the International Labour Office (ILO) and other partners to sign a Declaration of intent on cooperation on child labour in agriculture. ?Let?s be clear,” said the Secretary General of IFAP David King during his address at the Signing Ceremony, “child labour in agriculture is a rural poverty issue and has to be handled with rural development driven solutions.?

(more…)

Continue ReadingFighting rural poverty key to elimination of hazardous child labour in agriculture

Philippines: School kindles OFW kids? knack for life

by RUBY ANNE R. PASCUA
www.ofwjournalism.net

MANILA ? IN THIS school, students are allowed to stare across the window to daydream during classes.

That?s how some students like Cathyrine Tamayo and Ginesa Patalinhog get their motivation to stay out of the streets and stay in this school called Erda Tech.
(more…)

Continue ReadingPhilippines: School kindles OFW kids? knack for life

Child advocates decry CHR decision on Grecil

They're urging for independent autopsy of Grecil's remains, particularly since there were traces of powder burns on the child's head -- an indication that she may have been shot at close range, the groups said.

The CHR, according to Kabiba, is ?passing the burden of proof to the victim and is trying to vindicate human-rights violators.? It added that the CHR?s conclusion -- that Grecil died in a crossfire during a legitimate encounter -- "is actually inconclusive because the CHR did not actually employ scientific and defensible probing methods like the conduct of autopsy.?


Lack of Merit? Grecil's parents, shown here during a press conference in Manila in April, have also filed charges against the soldiers before the courts and the ombudsman. (Photo by arkibongbayan.org)

Continue ReadingChild advocates decry CHR decision on Grecil