The visiting Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG), Marta Santos Pais has called on the Solomon Islands Government to redouble its effort towards achieving full implementation of protocols to the protection of child convention.
“It’s time to scale up,” said the SRSG, Ms. Pais.
While she acknowledges passing of the Child and Family Welfare bill this year, she said it is a preliminary step towards that goal and needs to redouble efforts.
“I am confident the government and its relevant stakeholders will be working together to achieve this.”
She said the fundamental steps taken as been positive and the United Nations especially on protection of a child would be very generous to see it implements soon.
“On that already adopted legislations or is in the process of adopting, we want it implemented,” said Ms. Pais.
She acknowledged the review of the Penal Code on sexual offences highlighting cases against children as immediate issues needed to be looked into.
“Especially as Solomon Islands walks into a technological world; the need to aligning to the growing changes involving child exploitation and pornography is vital.
More importantly the country will able to set a path towards zero violence against children, where regional and international countries can see as an inspiration,” said the Special Representative on Child Protection for the UN General Secretary.
Ms. Pais saluted the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare for the bold stand to support violence against children mentioning the issue as it’s everyone’s business.
While it is everyone’s business to help curb this problem, it is the Solomon Islands Government the highest decision making body to fulfill it, she added.
“The government must consider this a priority amongst the many priorities and do not allow it to be diluted amongst its many other policies.
“Children are agents of change, the indicators of change and progress in a country, whether as victims or receipts the government must consider protecting them seriously.”
She said the UN Protection on Child very much would like to be partners with children in whatever form and want them protected.
By BRADFORD THEONOMI
