A community-wide campaign on child protection was conducted on August 13, 2015 at Brgy. Kayok, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) through its Child Protection Program under the Tahderiyyah Program supported by the United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

According to Abdulmaguid Salidatan, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Child Protection Program, the campaign aims to promote understanding and awareness towards the importance of Child Protection and issues and concerns during conflict especially these grave child rights violations (GCRVs).

During the activity, participants were educated on child protection and about the GCRVs.

Member of the youth focal person (YFP) in the region presented a role play during the activity.

Part also of the program was an open forum where participants from local government unit expressed their support of the campaign.

In response, Salidatan thanked participants of their support.

He also expressed that BDA as partner in this advocacy is willing to provide assistance e.g. as resource person on sessions related to child protection.

In fact, our core trainer in Zamboanga Peninsula region was requested by the barangay chairman to give inputs about child protection program”, Salidatan said.

Accordingly, they also requested that may this program will be replicated in their neighbouring barangays.

Meanwhile, Salidatan also emphasized the communication for development (c4d) campaign which is also a part of the implementation of the action plan signed by the United Nations and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The campaign includes launching of the “children not soldier” tagline, display of communication materials on non-recruitment of children in any military activities, conduct of public events in MILF camps, and production of radio spots.