DOST R02 Strengthens Efforts Against Online Exploitation Through RA 11930 Webinar

In line with the nationwide observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children (EVAWC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 2, led by Regional Director and Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) Chairperson Dr. Virginia G. Bilgera, conducted a webinar on Republic Act 11930 today, November 27, 2024.

This is also otherwise known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act. This law strengthens protections against online sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

In her recorded opening message, Dr. Bilgera emphasized the significance of this year’s EVAWC theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines,” highlighting the collective responsibility to eliminate violence and build a just society. She called for intensified efforts to address the alarming increase of online exploitation, emphasizing that the fight against violence must begin at homes, in workplaces, and within communities.

“𝑨𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒕. 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒂-𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒂, 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒘𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒂 𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒕𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒌𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒈𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒊𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒂𝒏,” she underscored.

Atty. Cecilia M. Lazaro, Chief of the Legal Division at the Commission on Human Rights Region 2, led discussions on the provisions of RA 11930. She emphasized its role in fostering collaboration among parents, educators, law enforcers, and community leaders to safeguard children.

The webinar provided DOST R02 employees with essential knowledge on the implementation and enforcement of RA 11930, as well as practical steps to help create a safer online environment for children. It also served as a platform to discuss how institutions and individuals can work together to combat these crimes.

This activity is part of DOST R02’s initiatives under the EVAWC campaign, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to promoting safety, equality, and a violence-free future for women and children.