The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga hosts a consultation workshop to facilitate the model-building of a Child-Protection Systems Strengthening (CPSS) for Child Early and Forced Marriage and Unions (CEFMU) at the Tavern Hotel, Surigao City on April 23-26, 2024.

The activity, which is spearheaded by the Social Technology Bureau of the DSWD Central Office, is in partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and Oxfam. It aims to serve as a venue to co-create a CPSS model for preventing and responding to CEFMU with the help of beneficiaries, implementers, and partners.

To have a more comprehensive workshop, former members of the Socorro Bayanihan Services, Incorporated (SBSI) and the Local Government of the Municipality of Socorro have been invited to share important inputs in the crafting of the model, especially that they have first-hand experience in dealing with arranged child marriages and unions – the said municipality will also serve as a pilot area for the implementation of the CPSS model.

Also invited are members of youth organizations, representatives from National Line Agencies, and DSWD Field Office Caraga technical persons.

The result of the workshop held in Caraga will form part of the Social Technology that will be created to pilot-test the CPSS model, together with the outputs from the other areas (CAR, BARMM). DSWD, together with its partners are optimistic that the pilot project will be able to serve its purpose and aid in strengthening the implementation of Republic Act 11596 or “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage and Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof.”