ADVOCATES against gender-based violence are pushing for a sustained campaign against human trafficking and webcam child sex tourism.
During a forum held at the University of the Philippines Cebu recently, Prof. Henry Francis Espiritu said their advocacy should extend beyond the 18-day campaign to end violence against women and children. The campaign ran from November 25 to December 12.
“Ug wala ta’y gibuhat, parte ta sa problema. Dili nato buhian ra ang 18-day campaign kay murag panahon-panahon lang, kundi ato siya i-sustain (If we do nothing, we are part of the problem. We should sustain the campaign),” he said during the forum.
Espiritu is the coordinator of UP Cebu’s Gender and Development Office and one of the forum organizers.
“Human trafficking is real. It’s here in our backyard,” said Dr. Helen Madamba of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
“As long as there is one person who cares to put in the time, effort, and energy to fight all the evils in the world, there is hope,” she added. Madamba is also an advocate for children’s rights.
Arnie Fernandez Arquiza of Terre des Hommes Netherlands said there are about 750,000 predators online at any given time.
“For as long as there is someone who is going to look for such services online, I’m sure there is a child, or a family of a child, who will be forced to do this and other sexual acts online for financial gain. So that’s why there is a need for a paradigm shift,” he said.
The forum was one of the activities during the 18-day campaign. Aside from GAD, other organizers were SIDLAK Gender Resource Center–Region 7 and University of the Philippines Political Science Society./UP Cebu BA Mass Comm student Kershey Reign E. Dueñas