All systems go for Oct. 19 2008 Global Action Day to End VAC and Corporal Punishment

In early 2007, the 7-member Mindanao Convenor Against Corporal Punishment (MCCoP) was organized as a spin-off activity to the consultation sponsored by Save the Children Sweden (SCS). During that year, a six-month anti-corporal punishment campaign was launched involving four cities in Mindanao such as Davao and General Santos in Southern Mindanao; and, Ozamis and Zamboanga in Western Mindanao. This campaign was spearheaded by Tambayan Center, Kabataan Consortium, Bantay Bata 163, Adolescent Health Advocates and Family Planning Organization of the Philippines-General Santos, for Southern Mindanao; and, Gitib Inc., and Katilingban Alang sa Kalamboan Inc., for Western Mindanao.

One of the highlights of the said campaign was the holding of the Global Action Day to End VAC and CoP in October 19, 2007, the first mobilization on VAC in Mindanao. The date was auspicious because fell within the children’s month celebration. Two separate mobilization activities were conducted in Davao City and General Santos involving a total of about 300 participants, mostly children and children rights advocates who had directly or indirectly participated in the campaign. The general goal of this activity was to introduce the new emerging protection issue of children on corporal punishment to the public. A motorcade around major streets followed by a short children’s forum was held in Davao City and a similar forum was conducted also in General Santos. Among the recommendations after the event was to regularize the holding of the Global Action Day every October 19 of the year.