Human Rights Report for Children 2003
Kapakanan ng Bata, Inc.; Philippine Human Rights Information Center; Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates

Filipino children still suffer from human rights abuses. Today, thousands of children continue to be trafficked, domestically and across borders, for exploitative purposes. Thousands more are subjected to inhuman treatment in jails and juvenile detention centers. Differently-abled children are still discriminated. There is a significant increase in the number of child laborers despite efforts of government and civil society to address the problem. Development Aggression and the outbreak of armed conflict have resulted in the displacement of thousands of Filipinos, many of which are children. Armed groups continue to recruit and use children in armed conflict with impunity. Children are still subject to sexual abuse and exploitation. Millions of children still roam and live in the streets, exposing them people who would abuse and exploit them. The social and economic rights of children to health, education and access to adequate food and to care are far from being enjoyed by majority of Filipino children. These are but a few urgent issues and concerns that the next administration will have to confront for the next six years. This report is but a humble attempt to illustrate the true state of the Filipino child.