This analysis follows the child rights conceptual framework, aiding Philippine stakeholders in policy development and child rights practices. It also tracks progress towards the SDGs by aligning selected child rights indicators with SDG targets where data and context allow.
A comprehensive desk-based review was undertaken to inform the Philippines national overview, policy and legislation analysis, and child rights, deprivation and equity analysis. This desk-based review has been conducted to inform the study team’s understanding of critical issues in, and characteristics of, the Philippines with regard to children and the realisation of child rights.
To inform the analysis, a comprehensive mapping of the UNICEF wheel’s six child rights dimensions and the corresponding 25 subdimensions, suggested indicators, available data sources and data gaps was undertaken.
This mapping and review of the available data was the basis for an analysis of the subdimensions needed to be conducted to differing levels according to the availability of data and the extent to which the subdimensions are relevant in the Philippines context. A total of 25 subdimensions were included.
This analysis uses secondary data, complemented by key informant interviews conducted in Manila in May 2023. Comprehensive documentation of the data sources and interview methodologies is appended to the Child Rights Analysis Concerning the Situation of Children in the Philippines 2023 full report.
Limitations
There are gaps for selected indicators for some of the data sources used in this report.
Impact
Medium. This is an issue with regard to disaggregation of data by characteristics like disability and socioeconomic background, which limits the extent to which some deprivation and equity analysis can be conducted.
Mitigating Actions
The expert has sought to triangulate and substantiate data throughout with information collected (through key informant interviews), and systematic desk-based research.
Where there are likely to be anomalies or inaccuracies in data, this is highlighted—either caveated in text or as a footnote.
The expert has shared, as a separate document, a mapping of data gaps and disaggregation. This will help inform future data collection efforts and a clear understanding of data reliability.
it is sometimes not possible to speak with key informants due to scheduling challenges, which can impact the extent to which their insight and knowledge can be integrated into reporting and analysis.
Impact
Medium. The impact is low for some areas, for example, the child rights analysis, where most insight is gained from publicly available sources and secondary data shared by UNICEF. However, the impact would be high for the risk, bottleneck and stakeholder analysis, which will depend heavily on key informant interview insights.
Mitigating Actions
The expert travelled to Manila for 10 days to ensure they were entirely flexible to meet according to participants’ convenience and schedules.
The expert and UNICEF also reached out to key informants in good time to seek their availability and give good advance notice of the key informant participation requests.
Key informants may form their responses based on personal motivation rather than the most accurate information. Certain respondents may be incentivised to offer positive responses because they anticipate potential benefits from their participation.
Impact
Low. This is a common challenge in data collection and surveys. As a result of steps taken to mitigate its impact, it is unlikely to have overtly biased results.
Mitigating Actions
The expert adopted usual techniques to mitigate the risk of response bias. For example, all respondents were assured that their inputs would be fully confidential to ensure they felt comfortable to share full and frank views.
All child rights fields and subdimensions have a severe lack of data and disaggregation by disability.
Impact
High. People with disabilities are likely to experience more significant deprivations and more limited realisation of their rights than other children. Without the data, it is difficult to determine their true experiences and thus tailor programmes and interventions to support them.
Mitigating actions taken
The expert will explore disability-related child rights questions and deprivations in detail at the validation workshop. Additionally, highlighting these data gaps within this report may help encourage more data collection to inform knowledge and programming around disability in future.