The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) are calling for stronger protection of the rights of children in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as the nation celebrates the 9th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week (JJWeek) on November 22 to 28, 2020.
The JJWeek is a yearly celebration held every 4th week of November in conjunction with the annual celebration of the National Children’s Month. It aims to mainstream awareness and consciousness of the Filipino people on Republic Act (RA) 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act to emphasize the rights of every Filipino youth and child, including children-at-risk (CAR) and in conflict with the law (CICL).
Originally observed in October by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 489, the celebration has been moved to November after the enactment of Republic Act 10661 which declares the month of November as the National Children’s Month.
This year’s celebration carries the theme “Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya Siguruhin, Pagpapatupad ng Juvenile Justice Law Paigtingin.” It aims to increase awareness of stakeholders on the issue of CAR and CICL and the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, generate support among duty-bearers and other stakeholders in the campaign for the full implementation of the law, and engage the participation of children and youth in the activities lined up for the celebration.
The JJWeek coincides with the National Children’s Month celebration this November which bears the theme, “Sama-Samang Itaguyod ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya!”
JJWC, an attached agency of DSWD which is tasked with the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, will lead the celebration of the JJWeek through a series of activities that are designed to engage Filipino children and youth.
DSWD and JJWC commit to continue to champion the protection of the rights and the promotion of the welfare of Filipino children and youth, including CAR and CICL, and are continuously calling for the full implementation of RA 9344. ###
