MISAMIS ORIENTAL — Protecting children from violence, conflict and exclusion is a strategic investment in lasting peace and national development, child protection advocates said, pointing to new data showing how early trauma drastically reduces a child’s chances of staying in school.

The data, presented during a recent national forum, comes from a longitudinal study tracking 5,000 youth nationwide conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies and the United Nations Population Fund.

The research revealed that 39.5 percent of 10-year-olds in the Philippines have experienced physical or emotional violence at home.

This early exposure to harm reduces the likelihood of a child staying in school by 57 percent by age 14. Girls face a 66 percent lower enrollment rate after experiencing home violence, compared to 48 percent for boys.

The risks are even higher for LGBTQ+ adolescents, who face nearly double the odds of domestic violence and twice the risk of bullying. Analysts noted this frequently leads to absenteeism, poor grades and dropping out.

“Exposure to violence shapes the trajectory of an entire life,” PIDS researcher Aaron Manuel said. “It affects mental health, education and future livelihood.”

The findings mirror challenges in conflict-affected regions like Lanao del Sur, where children face trauma, disrupted schooling and social stigma.

Speaking at a joint council meeting last 24 June, Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman of the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement said children affected by armed conflict require specialized support rather than just standard security measures.

“These are children in need of protection and support under the law,” Sumndad-Usman said. She proposed creating a provincial committee to oversee healing programs, peace education, and long-term care to reintegrate these children into society.