Championing children’s rights
PLDT and Smart Communications Inc. are deepening conversations and exploring meaningful collaborations on advocating for child rights, especially in the digital space.
Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and children’s rights crusader Bernadette Madrid headlined the recent meeting of the Filipina CEO Circle (FCC), where she dove into the trauma that children who experienced online sexual abuse and exploitation go through.
A pediatrician by profession, Madrid heads the Women and Child Protection Unit at the Philippine General Hospital where she personally witnessed the struggles of abused children.
The conversation with Dr. Madrid sparked interest among FCC members to develop synergistic initiatives that build on their own unique expertise to help the government’s prevention and intervention programs.
“PLDT and Smart believe in a multi-pronged approach when it comes to Osaec (Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children). We are always on the lookout for opportunities to work together with like-minded organizations in launching initiatives aimed at creating safer spaces for children, both online and offline,” said Cathy Yang, first vice president and group head of corporate communications at PLDT and Smart.
PLDT and Smart’s participation in this event highlights the group’s long-term commitment to help the country attain UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 that promotes just, peaceful and inclusive societies including the end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.