With this year’s theme, Protecting Children’s rights during violence and crisis in Sierra Leone, the Country Director, Plan International, Sierra Leone, Casely Coleman pledged his Organisation’s continued support to child protection in the Country.
Mr Coleman made this commitment while making a statement at the Miatta Conference hall on Thursday marking the 40th anniversary of the 16th June, 1976 Soweto massacre, in South Africa.
He informed the gathering that in Plan, there is need to recognise girls specific vulnerabilities in crisis as they are exposed to sexual exploitation, forced migration, early child and forced marriages, including lack of access to basic sexual and reproductive health services and information.
The Country Director, cited the state of the world’s girls report 2015, which states adolescent girls are largely invisible in the response to emergencies, as a result girls are pulled out of school during disasters and are unlikely to return.
According to a final evaluation of Plan International Girl Power project in Moyamba district, during the ebola epidemic, Mr Casely said children were abandoned by orphan hood in large numbers.
He recalled that from a study carried out in September 2013 by Plan International West Africa, multiple levels of prejudice exist towards children with disabilities at all levels of society, thus creating deep discrimination and neglect of these children.
Furthering his statement, the Plan Country Director spoke of the support his organisation has lent to Government through the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs during the ebola outbreak targeting almost 23,000 households, and 42,790 children with 34,404 food and non-food packages.
He added child protection, education in emergencies programs, WASH facilities and messages as well as youth participation in Moyamba, Bombali, Port Loko, Kambia, and the Western Rural and Urban districts of Sierra Leone.
Concluding, Casely Coleman disclosed that Plan International provided space and support for child rights and protection services, strengthening reporting systems, including the rehabilitation of office building and provided a brand new generator to enhance the work of the ministry.
He called on Government and other child protection partners including communities to do more and better the children particularly girls, to realise their rights in dignity and safety in Sierra Leone.
Making his contribution, Geoff Wiffin of UNICEF recalled that 40 years ago thousands of children came out peacefully and unharmed to make their voices heard, but instead they were suppressed and some lost their lives in the process.
Also he said it is 25 years since the African continent started to commemorate June 16th, which saw the highest horrendous crimes against children.
Mr Wiffin added that by 2030 all forms of violence against children must have stopped, especially on girls who suffer most from teenage pregnancy, early marriage and forceful initiation.
He noted that from a recent children’s forum held 96% of the children said their rights must be protected and their voices should be heard in issues affecting their existence and development.
The UNICEF Country Representative called on all state and non-state actors involved in child protection to come together and start the work to the many talks on child survival and protection.
Deputy Minister, Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Rugiatu Neneh Turay noted that 40 years after the Soweto uprising, children are still suffering in silence as a result of violence, and this has made them turn perpetrators of violence over the years, therefore it is time for child protection actors to come together to put an end to violence, and keep the children happy for a brighter tomorrow.
By Ade Campbell
Friday June 17, 2016
ADVERTISEMENT