Save the Children Philippines united with the LGBT+ community and calls on parents, guardians, the general public, and the national and local government to defend and protect the children, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
According to Atty. Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines, LGBT+ children, and youth are deprived of their rights because of their sexual orientation and gender identity such as access to health services, education, and work opportunities.
Save the Children Philippines staff take part in the annual Pride March held on June 29, 2019 in Marikina City, Philippines. A record-breaking crowd of around 70,000 braved the rains to show their support for the LGBT+ community.
We believe in the fundamental right of every child to have a childhood that is safe, healthy, and free from discrimination. All children must enjoy their rights regardless of economic status, ethnicity, religion; and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE).
“These vulnerabilities are even exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as they face higher risks of physical and sexual violence, bullying, ridicule, stigma and social exclusion,” said Muyot.
With this, Save the Children Philippines supports the enactment of the Anti- Discrimination Act that seeks to institutionalize programs against any form of discrimination on the basis of SOGIE.
The child rights organization also collaborates with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and all other government agencies to sustain their efforts to promote and protect the rights of all children by reinforcing gender-responsive policies.
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