Manila (AsiaNews) – Since 2001, the Sisters of the Divine Savior, commonly known as Salvatorian Sisters, have been helping women and children who experience instances of abuse and violence in the Philippines.
In light of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Sisters of the Divine Savior established at least two centres of the Salvatorian Pastoral Care for Children Inc in the Philippines in 2001 – one in Cebu, central Philippines, and the other one in Novaliches Diocese, north of Manila, the country’s capital.
These facilities accompany marginalised and disadvantaged Philippine children and women, protecting their rights to survival, development, protection, and participation towards the fullness of life, explains Sister Ruth S. Baguinon, executive director of Salvatorian Pastoral Care for Children (SPCC).
The SPCC is a faith-based initiative in light of the social teachings outlined by the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1991 and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines pastoral letter of 1998 that address the exploitation of Filipino children.
The SPCC promotes a parish-based child and women protection programme as an integral component of the overall parish pastoral programme. It supports the training and organising of Child Rights Advocates (CRAs) – adults, teens, and children in a parish. They are equipped to be frontline workers in the care and protection of children and women against various forms of abuse, violence, and exploitation.
“We are in a mission of protecting and defending the rights of the child in light of faith in local Church communities,” said Sister Ruth. Caring for vulnerable children and women means caring for their future, with the help of lay partners and well-wishing people, she added.
Under the SPCC Inc, the nuns run several intervention programmes, including psychosocial help and support to the exploited and abused children through home visits, referral services, paralegal assistance, reach-out operations, counselling and educational assistance.
Over the years, the nuns have helped 5,000 children and trained over 3,000 youths as child-rights activists and volunteers. Currently, the nuns are working for child rights in 100 parishes nationwide.
The nuns undertake prevention and community education through advocacy and awareness-raising through symposiums, forums, conferences, and lobby sessions.
They also network with other child-caring agencies and communities and help set up children’s protection programmes in parishes and dioceses. Additionally, they promote children’s joy and interest in reading books and value formation.
The nuns’ mission of caring for abused women and children also aligns with the country’s law that says, “Protect children against all forms of abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development”.
For Sister Mary Adeline Abamo, another nun who has been working with the SPCC, every citizen has the obligation to ensure children's dignity, safety, and welfare. Working for the protection of children is an expression of faith and love, she says.
