Concord Times (Freetown)
Pel Koroma
6 June 2008
"Every child has the right to protection and care, regardless of their place of birth or social status." The eight sub regional inter agency summit on child protection which is ongoing at Bintumani Hotel hinges on the alienable rights of the child to protection.
The first seven meetings were held under conditions of civil and political unrest in the Mano River Union countries aiming at strengthening coordination between neighbouring countries in the field of child protection.
These countries have experienced violent episodes of civil unrest in the recent years, bringing about dire consequences for children in terms of being exposed to violence, exploitation and abuse.
Albeit the advent of peace children have continued to face protection problems in the field of child trafficking, child labour, sexual abuse as well as drop outs from schools.
Speaking at the meeting, UNICEF country representative Geert Cappelaere welcomed participants from the MRU.
"The key objective of this eight sub regional meeting on child protection is to review lessons learned on working on cross border issues over the last four years either by government or by NGOs," Cappelaere said.
He reiterated that the meeting is a reinforcement of the role of the MRU in addressing children's issues on a sub regional entity within west and central Africa.
"The meeting will surely identify the priorities in the area of child protection and the way forward within the sub regional approach. It is no longer addressing emergency related issues emanating from armed conflict; rather the focus now is within a development context and on child protection issues in this regard" Cappelaere concluded.
Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs Musu Kandeh informed participants of the socio-political situation of the MRU countries that have changed and as peace has returned to these four countries, there is a need to re-assess the purpose of the of the sub regional initiatives and redefine roles and responsibility in a substantial way.
"The purpose of the meeting is to review and re -enforce cross border implications for child protection intervention in West Africa among governments, UN, INGO and civil society partners in order to identify priorities for further work. It will also reflect on the role of the cross border monitoring mechanisms and recommit to its objectives including clarification of roles and responsibilities of a sub regional approach among Mano River Union countries" she said.
Country Director of Save the Children Sierra Leone Dienebe van dur Wijh expressed the importance of Child Right Acts. "Child Right Acts in Sierra Leone is excellent but how to implement and ensure they function. Agencies should strengthen these systems bearing in mind the challenges in the sub region" she said, adding that the current hike in food prices in the world may affect children that are the most vulnerable.
Planning Officer of the MRU, John P. Vincent said the meeting is not only significant but also timely, coming at a time when the issue of child protection has become a top priority for the MRU countries in particular. "It is our strong desire to become an active partner with you and other stake holders in the protection of the child so that together we can double our efforts in the search for sustainable solution for child protection" he concluded..
The meeting will end today.
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