A young leader from Butig steps up, offering bold ideas for child protection in youth discussions.
MARADECA Inc., in collaboration with LYDOs, SK Federations and youth networks gathered a group of youth
in Lanao del Sur to explore and discuss sensitive issues like child and teen marriages and children’s rights. The organizers wanted to emphasize the need for the youth to know the correct steps in reporting abuse, the
value of building trust between children and community leaders, and the importance of integrating peacebuilding
into everyday youth activities. Through these discussions and group work, young people were empowered to serve as active advocates for child protection and peace.
The youth came from six municipalities for series of youth-led community orientation and workshop sessions
on children’s rights, Anti-Child Marriage Law, referral mechanisms, and grassroots peacebuilding tools against the backdrop of persistent challenges of early and forced marriage, community violence, and weak protection systems.
“Protecting children is not just the duty of parents—it is the collective responsibility of the whole community,” said Ivan Dave Dusil, one of the participants in Wao, Lanao del Sur. The UNICEF and the European Union helped realize the youth empowerment sessions.