In the Philippines, close to 1 out of every three individuals lives below the poverty<\/a> line, while the country itself is in full economic expansion.\u00a0 Although this is encouraging for the future, the present situation remains bleak for a great many households.<\/p>\n Poor families frequently suffer from hunger or malnutrition from which follow numerous health<\/a> problems, particularly among children who are physically more vulnerable than adults.<\/p>\n Health<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The infant mortality<\/a> rate is particularly high in the Philippines. \u00a0Furthermore, more than 1 out of every 5 newborn children exhibits dietary deficiencies from the moment of birth.\u00a0 Childbirth is risky both for the infant and for the mother.\u00a0 In fact, the number of mothers who die during childbirth remains considerably high\u2014especially since many young girls, through lack of both information and contraceptives, face unwanted pregnancies.<\/p>\n Furthermore, access to healthcare<\/a> remains difficult in the country\u2019s more remote regions.\u00a0 Of course, it is in these areas that undernourishment<\/a> and resulting problems are the most virulent.<\/p>\n Finally, no one takes responsibility for children who suffer from mental health problems.\u00a0 They remain marginalized and do not receive the appropriate care.<\/p>\n Child Labour<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n More than 10% of Filipino children are compelled to work so as to support the needs of their family.<\/p>\n Close to a million Filipino youths work as garbage scavengers in public dumps.\u00a0 The working conditions are utterly filthy and often have serious effects on the health<\/a> of these individuals.<\/p>\n Other children find employment in rural sectors.\u00a0 They work nonstop on sugar, rice or tea plantations as the case may be.\u00a0\u00a0 Filipino youths also work in their nation\u2019s fishing sector which is highly developed.<\/p>\n Right to non discrimination<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Children born out of wedlock :<\/em> They are the object of considerable discrimination<\/a> in the Philippines.\u00a0 The law, for example, still refers to them as \u201cillegitimate\u201d children\u2014a term that is largely negative and unjust, seeing how they did not choose to be born under such conditions.\u00a0 Furthermore, their right to an inheritance is considerably limited.\u00a0 They clearly do not stand on equal footing with children born to married parents.<\/p>\n <\/span>Native People<\/em> : The children of these minorities are frequently the victims of racist acts, nor does legislation protect them.\u00a0 Their opinions are hardly ever taken into account, although much progress has been made concerning the children of nonindigenous peoples throughout the country.<\/p>\n With regard to education<\/a>, healthcare<\/a> or even the right to life<\/a>, indigenous children are routinely treated less favorably than others.<\/p>\n Young Girls<\/em> : They too are unable to fully enjoy their rights.\u00a0 Young girls are the object of notorious discriminatory practices<\/a> that often continue throughout their entire lives.\u00a0 Mentalities must undergo a serious amount of change if the idea of equality between the sexes is ever to become a reality.<\/p>\n Handicapped Children<\/a><\/em> : They are very numerous in the Philippines, owing to nutrition- and hygiene-related problems.\u00a0 The country has yet to set up a sufficient number of establishments that can adequately attend to the needs of such children.\u00a0 Consequently, their access to educational<\/a> and healthcare<\/a> services remains severely limited.<\/p>\n Child Soldiers<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Philippines number among 20 countries in which children are often deployed as soldiers in armed conflicts.\u00a0 Certain armed groups have recently stated that they will no longer use children in this capacity; however, the total absence of child soldiers<\/a> is far from being verified.<\/p>\n Totally prohibited by the International Convention of Children\u2019s Rights<\/a>, the use of child soldiers<\/a> is an abhorrent practice whose effects on the health and well-being of children are wholly negative.\u00a0 Such children are caught up in a violent and cruel environment where they are in constant danger of being killed.\u00a0 Their role models are brutal and aggressive men whose influence on their development will clearly be far from positive.<\/p>\n Child Marriage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 14% of young women in the Philippines get married before the age of 18.\u00a0 One prepares them very early in life for their future role as a wife.\u00a0 However, these marriages often have grave consequences for the health of these young girls who do not understand what such a marriage entails.<\/p>\n Violence against Children <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Children are equally the victims of sexual abuse<\/a> in certain families.\u00a0 These are serious crimes and all too often they are not condemned, nor does the justice system adequately protect children from threats and intimidation on the part of criminals.<\/p>\n Justice for Minors<\/strong><\/p>\n The Committee of Children\u2019s Rights has expressed profound concern about justice for minors.\u00a0 With regard to armed conflict, there have been numerous executions and extrajudicial imprisonments involving children. The killing of children is a serious violation of the Convention of Children\u2019s Rights<\/a>; yet the crimes themselves remain unpunished.\u00a0 The Philippines thus needs to make a more concerted effort to put a stop to these practices and to actively see to it that the authors of these atrocities are held responsible for their acts.\u00a0 As it stands, the pursuit of justice in relation to such crimes is insufficient and the results are profoundly deceiving.<\/p>\n In addition, there are hundreds of people who are the victims of forced disappearances in the Philippines.\u00a0 When they do return (which is very rare), they suffer from both physical and mental trauma as a result of their experience.<\/p>\n Children who are in prison are not de facto protected as they ought to be.\u00a0 Although the country\u2019s legislation forbids inhuman and degrading treatment, numerous reports leave one with the impression that children in prison are still being subjected to torture.<\/p>\n Right to an Identity<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 17% of births are not officially registered in the Philippines.\u00a0 The country has made some progress on this issue.\u00a0 However, not all children are able to benefit from these improvements.\u00a0 Indeed, most Muslim and indigenous children still lack an official identity<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.humanium.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/philippines-violence-adrien-chazerans-220x300.jpg\" "\\"Corporal")
Corporal punishment is frequently practiced in the Philippines, notably within the family.\u00a0 It is not the object of any explicit legislation.\u00a0 Thus, many children suffer daily from violence at the hands of their parents who treat them in a cruel and humiliating manner.<\/p>\n