NATIONAL CHILDREN POLICY 2020 LAUNCHED IN KISORO

Ambrose
31/08/2022

Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on Wednesday launched National Child Policy 2020 in Kisoro district.
The function presided over by State Minister for youth and children affairs, hon Sarah Mateeke was held at Kisoro district council hall.

In her remarks, hon Minister Sarah Mateeke explained that National Children Policy 2020 and its implementation plan demonstrates the commitment of the government of Uganda in ensuring for holistic approach to addressing all concerns of the children. She noted that implementation plan of National Children Policy 2020 will go up to 2025.

Hon Minister Sarah Mateeke rallies all the stakeholders to start by addressing issues affecting families saying this will help in upholding children’s rights and protect them from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. She stated that government of Uganda recognizes critical importance of ensuring children’ four cardinal rights which include survival, development, protection and participation.

Tollea Franco, the asst. commissioner of children affairs in the gender ministry, says that since the National Children Policy 2020 was first launched in October 2020, it has not been disseminated in local governments. He says that children everywhere have been subjected to different forms of abuse and challenged all stakeholders to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in their communities.

Tollea Franco further appeals to stakeholders to consider children’s participation in decision making on issues affecting them. He adds that children have information and know well their best interests and it is very important to allow them participate during intervention on issues affecting them.

The Kisoro district vice chairperson Nambajimana Alex expressed his concern over the increasing number of Batwa children who keep strolling in Kisoro town. He asked all stakeholders to take concrete action and save the future of the Batwa and other street children.

Hon Minister Sarah Mateeke asked Tollea Franco, the asst. commissioner of children affairs in the gender ministry to visit Batwa community living in Mikingo village Kisoro Municipality and assess the plight of Batwa children in the area.

Meanwhile, Tollea Franco challenged Kisoro district local government leadership to give special attention on Batwa children and avoid excluding them from service delivery. He adds that Batwa children are also human being regardless of their state and should be protected by the law like other children.

In attendance include; community development officers, district local government head of department officers, religious leaders, police officers among others.