National Children's Month - OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!

 The theme for this year’s National Children's Month - OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban! - is one of the most pressing violations affecting children today. The
more technology becomes ubiquitous, the more children can encounter threats within its grasp. However, the theme is an acknowledgment that awareness is not enough to successfully safeguard children but instead needs action from families, schools, communities and the government to ensure that OSAEC and CSAEM are things of the past.




It's the government's duty to ensure safety and respect for children. Laws like the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (RA 7610) show governmental strides to protect minors from physical and virtual exploitation. Agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have all intensified monitoring systems and reporting structures to ensure swift responses to incidents should they occur.




Yet laws aren't sufficient. Internet regulations must be consistently bolstered. Communities should have
awareness programs to supplement government efforts in safety suggestions. Parents and educators need a guide for proper lessons about digital safety when it comes to children. There need to be more child-friendly reporting systems, accessible mental health services through an integrated approach with technology companies to ensure rights are upheld. When a government effort collaborates with community efforts, strides will be made.





Therefore, the 2025 National Children's Month Theme is a rallying cry. There is an obligation to protect children beyond legal expectations; there's a moral obligation, too, as all children deserve a life where they're not scared or exploited, for their rights are meant to be upheld.





Reference:
Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC). (2025). National Children’s Month Theme and Guidelines.



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