Impact
As a result of UNICEF’s key advocacy and partnership efforts, the Philippine Government remains firmly committed to the promotion of children’s and women’s rights. About 20 years ago, it ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, one of the first countries in the world to do so; it followed this through by ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Succeeding years have seen the passage of important legislation, among them laws on early childhood care and development (2000), anti-trafficking in persons (2003), anti-violence against women and children (2004), the Magna Carta of Women, and the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act (2006). A significant number of children’s associations and federations have been organized since. Many young people are now also increasingly drawn to and involved in consultative processes and development initiatives, among them a yearly Children’s Congress. The following are some specific achievements resulting from UNICEF’s advocacy work with its partners: • In 2006, all children jailed in Metro Manila and Cebu province were taken out of adult prison cells.
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