Teaser: Gagmay’ng Tunob sa Kadalanan (Little Footsteps on the …
TEASER Gagmay’ng Tunob sa Kadalanan
A film by Mark HenryIn observance of the International Day of No Prostitution, we present to you our Documentary Film entitled Gagmay’ng Tunob sa Kadalanan (Little Footsteps on the Street).
We invite you to watch this coming October 5, 2017, 1pm to 4pm at Cinematheque Davao.
Synopsis: Angela, Kim and Joy, all minors, were forced into prostitution at the age of 15 below by extreme poverty, abuse and unwanted situations. The three are just few of the 40% children from total number of 4,000 prostituted women and children in Davao City, one of Philippines’ top cities.
While prostitution is illegal in the country, Philippines has an enormous sex-tourist industry. Despite efforts of a number of organizations in the city to combat child trafficking, cases of child prostitution has continued to rise.
Produced by Talikala Inc. and The Breakaway Media
This film is produced through the support of AWO InternationalCinematographer: Bandayanon Señedo Ken
Writer/Narrator/Subtitlist: Haidie Sangkad
Videographers:
Barry Dacanay Jaja Necosia Lys Yrasuegui Leah A. Valle Jag Bueno#Gagmay’ngTunobsaKadalanan
#TeaserDocuFilmPosted by The Breakaway Media on Monday, October 2, 2017
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — To unfold the alarming cases of prostitution in Davao City, non-governmental organization Talikala Inc. has produced a documentary film of three young girls involved in the sex trade.
The film, Gagmay’ng Tunob sa Kadalanan (Little Footsteps on the Street) follows the story of Angela, Kim and Joy who are all below 15 years old.
“We hope to raise awareness among the public on the issue of child prostitution,” said Talikala Inc. Executive Director Jeanette Laurel Ampog.
She said through the film, they hope the public will understand the issue on prostitution and that various agencies will be able to come up with actions to address the problem.
“We have invited barangay officials, NGOs, people’s organizations, government agencies and the victims and survivors of prostitutions,” Ampog said.
Free screening
The film will be shown for free from 1pm to 4pm at the Cinematheque Davao along Palma Gil Street on Thursday, October 5 in commemoration of the Day of No Prostitution.
The film was directed by Mark Henry of The Breakaway Media and was funded by the German NGO, Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) International.
Through the film, Ampog said they hope to change the public’s perception that the women and children in prostitution are the reason why there is prostitution.
“The truth is, there is a demand and there is a business in prostitution that makes it flourish,” she said.
More prostituted children
Ampog said they have served 75 children in prostitution this year, which is higher compared to the 57 children in prostitution served last year.
“The number does not yet include those who joined our seminars and trainings. The 75 children are those who are under Talikala’s case management,” Ampog said. If they include the count of children who they meet in trainings and seminars, Ampog said they could reach around 200.
She said the youngest child they are serving is 12 years old, who started in the sex trade at age 11.
In 2015, Talikala served 72 children in prostitution. She added that with the use of technology, transactions among children in prostitution are faster.
The group also recorded an increasing number of women in prostitution with 180 from January to October 4, 2017. This is higher compared to the 130 women in 2015, 160 women in 2016.
Challenge to government
Ampog said the women and children in prostitution have been wanting an access to social services including health, education and housing.
“We are challenging the local government unit to be more pro-active and to strengthen the recovery and re-integration program for women and children in prostitution by allocating funds,” she said.
Protecting women and children from prostitution through programs and services “is easier and more cost-effective” said Ampog.
She said children and women in prostitution face more risks including drug use, unplanned pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infection and other reproductive health-related illnesses.
On October 3, 2005 former Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 07 “Declaring October 5 of Every Year as a Day of No Prostitution in Davao City.”
The Proclamation aims to educate the public on the rights of women and children and to forge solidarity with the local and international communities who call to end prostitution. (davaotoday.com)
