Children's rights, responsibilities, and possibilities

“A person is a person no matter how small.” Dr. Seuss’s renowned quote resounds with a striking message that children are inherently persons regardless of their size.

Oftentimes, adults zero in on the innocence and dependence of children. Yet, despite their youth, children are humans who deserve respect, and recognition. In 1989, the United Nations introduced the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) to promote the human dignity of children and their protection from discrimination. The Philippines ratified this convention, cementing its commitment to the cause.  Republic Act 10661 commemorates this adoption and establishes an annual commemoration in November of National Children’s Month.

Child-centric organizations have taken proactive steps to instill awareness of children’s rights. The Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) and Bahay Tuluyan, Inc. stand out as NGOs that deliberately foster the understanding and practice of these rights. They recognize a child’s right to survival, education, protection, and participation.

ERDA champions the belief that education coupled with a supportive environment equips the youth to become exemplary individuals and lead better lives. They encourage children to assume leadership roles and participate in children’s association. They open doors for its members to volunteer as Junior Educators. These young teachers, in the process, unleash their creativity in assessing the academic concerns of other children, designing engaging lessons, and evaluating their teaching methods.

The enlightenment about children’s rights has been an eye-opener for many. According to Ray, “As we know more about our rights, we do not demand but protect our rights because we know and understand what it is all about.” Two ERDA children expressed that the right they value most is the right to live. Zyla exclaimed that they would not be able to develop themselves if they were not blessed with life. She said “…habang nasa tiyan palang ang bata ay may karapatan na siyang mabuhay at mailuwal sa mundong ito.” (Even while the baby is in the womb, a child has the right to live and be born into this world.) Simultaneously, Roan emphasized that he values the right to express one’s views and the right to develop one’s abilities. He highlighted the offense felt when adults undermine a child’s perspective. For him, every child’s viewpoint conveys a message of experience. ERDA children stressed that every right has a responsibility. Zee correlated the right to study with the responsibility to study for a promising future.

Bahay Tuluyan, Inc. on the other front, aims to prevent and counter abuse and violence against children. The organization engages the children to participate in ways they wish to participate. The management organizes meetings and assemblies for children to express their needs, evaluate their activities, and partake in decision-making regarding project planning and implementation. Some children undergo training sessions on rights, aid social workers in advocating for other children, and co-facilitate these sessions.

The children who benefit from Bahay Tuluyan’s programs expressed their transformation in their understanding of rights. Marco articulated how his knowledge expanded the horizons of his dreams to unimaginable possibilities. Luisa highlighted the fundamental importance of the right to a name, saying,“parang lahat ng karapatan, ok lang na mawala sa amin, pero pag wala yung pangalan namin parang mahirap.” (All rights may disappear except the right to have a name.) Marie added “Pag wala ka kasing pangalan parang wala kang pagkakakilanlan.” (The loss of a name is tantamount to a loss of an identity.) Moreover, they acknowledged that rights come with limitations and learned the essence of mutual respect through their education on rights.

For ERDA and Bahay Tuluyan children, the education on rights was not a sense of entitlement but rather a pathway to fulfill their dreams and those of other children. National Children’s Month serves as a reminder that children – like any human being- warrant dignity, support, and guidance to reach their fullest potential.

(The author used pseudonyms to guard the children’s identities.)