World Day Against Child Labor Town Hall Meeting: It's the Children's Turn to Speak

More than 200 Filipino children from diverse backgrounds gathered in the Museo Pambata (Children's Museum) today, June 11, 2003, with one thing in common: the desire to put an end to child labor.

Working children, former child laborers, youth advocates and heads of NGOs assembled at the Museo Pambata to attend the "Town Hall Meeting" where national leaders and concerned institutions entertained questions from the children. The event facilitated a dialogue between key government officials, NGOs and children in order to address the issue of child labor in a dynamic way where children themselves participated in the discussion.

The children raised questions that centered on the programs and services currently provided by the government and NGOs for working children, including alternative livelihood programs for the children and their families. They were particularly curious as to how to avail of these services. Another highlight of the dialogue was the discussion on the newly passed anti-trafficking law in the Philippines and how it can help working children.

The children also got their message across to the leaders through creative presentations that portrayed the issues of child labor, child trafficking and children's rights.

The Town Hall Meeting also served as a venue for national leaders and concerned institutions to affirm their commitment to the issues of child labor and children's rights.

There are currently more than 4 million child laborers in the Philippines, an alarming increase from 3.7 million in 1997. Child trafficking is identified as a crucial component in the prevalence of child labor, providing an unabated supply of children from poor provinces in the country into various forms of hazardous work.

After the Town Hall Meeting, the children were given a tour around the museum's premises, including the week-long exhibit featuring the faces of child labor in the country and the relevant programs implemented to address the issue.

The Town Hall Meeting was organized by Visayan Forum Foundation, in cooperation with the International Labor Organization, as a way of supporting the upcoming World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, 2003.