By: Haruna Kuyateh
The Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Health yesterday concluded two days training programs for security forces, women councilors, technical advisory committee members and community representatives on Child Protection in the North Bank Region.
The training covered Case Management, Community Based Psychosocial support, Standard Operating Procedures on Family Tracking and Remuneration.
The training aimed at Protecting Children on the Move in West and Central Africa from Violence abuse and exploitation, is part of UNICEF project funded by UK Department for International Development (DFID).
Jankoba Jabbie director of Social Welfare, called for government commitment to protect all forms of abuse and exploitation of child, noting that the five years National Strategy for Child protection 2016 – 2020 focus on expand preventative and protective services, describing as a pivotal point of the strategy.
According to him the Department of Social Welfare and West Africa Network are committed to support children without parental care or children on the move, orphans, children living in the street, internally displaced and refugee children, children affected by trafficking and those who are also abuse.
He pointed out that Director training of security officers, women councilors, technical advisory committee and multidisciplinary facilitation team is crucial to complement government efforts in averting children on the move and will help promote the protection of children from all forms of abuse.
He noted that children need to be protected, educated and encouraged in developing their potential, and also reiterated that the voice of children become central of our action and understanding the vulnerabilities of children be the concerns.
North Bank region governor Ebrima KS Dampha commended Department of Social Welfare for creating public awareness on advocating for all involvement and participation to addressed children on the move.
He said it’s necessary for legislation and policy for the rights of children and also for the security forces to enforce laws that protect children on move safety.
Baboucar Bajinka Station Officer Kerewan Immigration Station noted that children on the move remain a biggest challenge and calls on parents to support Immigration officers in ending children on the move within the country and across the borders.
He also commended the Department of Social Welfare for organizing to create awareness among stakeholders, noting that it will help to support community child protection committee CCPCs at village level and ensure the safety and protection of children from violence and abuse.