By Diwa Gacosta, World Vision Philippines

In efforts to end the cycle of violence against children in the Philippines, World Vision has joined the Child Rights Network (CRN), a coalition of child-focused organisations, to push for a law that would protect children from any forms of corporal punishment.

The pending bill, known as the Anti-Corporal Punishment Act of 2008, is based on the premise that each child, like adults, must enjoy human rights. It calls on the state to exercise its responsibility in promoting and protecting the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being of children.

“The issue of corporal punishment is very important to us in World Vision. As a child-focused Christian organisation, World Vision supports the bill because it gives importance to the protection and development of children,” says Andrea Olase, WVDF Advocacy Specialist.

According to Olase, a massive information campaign on positive discipline is underway as part of the advocacy activities of the organisation to promote respect for the individuality of children.

“Each one in the organisation has a role to play in creating and keeping a protective and positive environment for children. As we do our work and engage partners, suppliers, sponsors, donors, media, friends and the public in the ministry to children, it is very important to ensure that we don’t cause harm – intentional or unintentional – to children,” says Cherry Marcelo, WVDF Child Protection and Development Specialist.

World Vision is among the international agencies that took the lead for the United Nations Violence Against Children (UNVAC) report.

For more information or an in-depth interview, contact Andrea Olase at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it