The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) will spearhead the celebration of the 10th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week (JJWeek) on November 21 to 27, focusing on children’s involvement and participation under the new normal.
The theme for this year’s observance is “Batang Handa at May Alam, Kaisa sa Pagharap sa Bagong Normal”. Activities for the 10th JJWeek are designed to create and increase awareness on the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) and its full implementation in the context of the new normal among stakeholders, implementers, and the public.
One of the activities for the celebration is the Tiktok Challenge which aims to showcase valuable recommendations from the Filipino youth sector on child protection, specifically in line with the proper handling of children relative to violations of local ordinances such as curfew during the community quarantine and new normal, through the creation of creative shortform mobile videos. The theme of the contest is #AngAmbagKo: Kabataan, Share Mo Ambag Mo sa Pagsugpo ng COVID-19!
Another is the JJWA Talks – JJWA in the New Normal Podcast Series which will air every Wednesday of November on the JJWC Facebook Page and YouTube Channel. The program will discuss how the rights and welfare of children, especially children at risk (CAR) and children in conflict with the law (CICL), are protected and promoted amidst the pandemic. It will also tackle activities and tips on how children and their families can adapt to the new normal.
Meanwhile, a Webinar for CICL under the Temporary Protective Custody of Bahay Pag-Asa is also in the line up of activities to be conducted on November 24. It aims to provide opportunities for children to participate in activities to gain new skills that they can use when they are reintegrated with their families and communities and to express their views regarding their current situation.
The JJWeek is celebrated annually under the virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 489 s. 2012 and Republic Act No. 10661 declaring November as the National Children’s Month. It serves as a reminder that Filipinos should celebrate and recognize the children and youth as the most valuable asset of the nation.
The DSWD and the JJWC commit to initiate more activities to raise awareness on the plight of CAR and CICL, and provide avenues for them to share their ideas and perspectives on issues that matter most to them.Lastly, the DSWD and the JJWC will also continue to enhance policies, mechanisms, and programs, towards the effective and efficient implementation of the JJWA.
