X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

"Badjao Girl" and her people need government's help

1 Jun, 2016
"Badjao Girl" and her people need government's help

Stillness follows the gunshots, but there is no peace for the Badjaos as they continue to fight for their very existence. For countless other "Badjao Girls" out there, the war is far from over.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) urges the new government to strengthen efforts to protect the rights of indigenous peoples (IPs), including their rights to livelihood, adequate housing, and health.

The organization hopes that, with the recent exposure brought by “Badjao Girl” to the plight of displaced communities, government will provide resettlement areas for the Badjaos and other IPs in areas that will allow them to find livelihood, such as fishing.

Photos of a beautiful Badjao girl begging in the streets of Lucban, Quezon, recently became viral. “Badjao Girl”, who has since been identified as 13 year-old Rita Gaviola hails from the war-torn city of Zamboanga in Mindanao.

But Gaviola is but one of the thousands of Badjaos and other residents displaced by armed conflict in Zamboanga. Many more of her people remain destitute and in need of help.

According to HWR, the violence between the Moro National Liberation Front and government forces in September 2013 killed nearly 200 people and wounded 200 more. In the nearby province of Basilan, another 19, 000 were rendered homeless.

A total of 10, 000 homes were destroyed, displacing more than 100, 000 residents.

“The city’s ethnic minorities, including the Badjao, were particularly vulnerable to displacement and forced relocation following the fighting,” HRW said in a press release.

“The authorities, with little or no genuine consultation, forcibly moved the Badjao inland from their homes along the coast, despite their traditional occupation as fishermen. To this day, thousands of Badjao and other residents, mostly Muslims, remain homeless, living in dire conditions in evacuation sites,” HRW also said.

According to an article by Coleen Jose published on Rappler, of those relocated  to evacuation sites, 109 died, 48% of which were children below 5 years old.

According to HRW, the Badjaos and other IPs in the Philippines are neglected. The Badjaos, for instance, live in extreme poverty, often beyond the reach of government assistance.

“The public concern for Rita Gaviola is an opportunity for the new Philippine government to strengthen efforts to ensure the rights of livelihood, housing and health to the Badjao and other indigenous peoples who, too often, are denied those rights in the face of discrimination, conflict or displacement,” HRW appealed.

The organization said government should start with proper housing based on consultations with the Badjaos and other affected individuals. The Badjaos, who are also called “sea gypsies” because of their ties to the sea, in particular, need to live in areas where there is access to the sea so that they can work as fisherfolk.

Stillness follows the gunshots, but there is no peace for the Badjaos as they continue to fight for their very existence. For countless other “Badjao Girls” out there, the war is far from over.

READ: “Badjao Girl” hopes newfound fame will bring a brighter future for family

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
3 Amazing Possible Stories that will leave you smiling, crying, and inspired
Motherhood away from home
Motherhood away from home
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby
Bathing is bonding with Cetaphil Baby

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Donna Demetillo-Mendoza

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • "Badjao Girl" and her people need government's help
Share:
  • ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

    ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

  • Parents file case against hospital for throwing their baby

    Parents file case against hospital for throwing their baby

  • REAL STORIES: My baby was breastfed by someone else at hospital

    REAL STORIES: My baby was breastfed by someone else at hospital

  • ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

    ‘I was meant to have you’: Pregnant Singaporean mum, 29, delays cancer treatment for sake of unborn baby

  • Parents file case against hospital for throwing their baby

    Parents file case against hospital for throwing their baby

  • REAL STORIES: My baby was breastfed by someone else at hospital

    REAL STORIES: My baby was breastfed by someone else at hospital

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at lifestyle update.