The South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC), a regional inter-governmental body comprising representatives from civil society and children, is working toward making this vision a reality.[break]
The only entity for dealing with violence against children at the regional level, SAIEVAC organized a Regional Children’s Consultation (RCC) meet on “Care Standard and Child Friendly Services” on September 25-26 at Grand Hotel, Kathmandu, to promote parental and appropriate care in South Asia.
Hosted by the SAIEVAC Secretariat, and co-hosted by Government of Nepal and supported by South Asia Coordinating Group on Action against Violence against Women and Children (SACG), the consultation is attended by child representatives from the eight SAARC member countries.
Ugyen Dema, the 16 year old representative from Bhutan, said, “RCC aims to give us, the kids, a voice. We want to be a part of the decision making process that has a direct effect on our future.”
The main agenda of the consultation this year is to identify the gaps, opportunities and recommendations on care standards and child friendly services for children without adequate parental care in South Asia.
Rashmi*, 17, from Sri Lanka shared her thoughts on putting children for adoption and its effects on their emotional wellbeing.
“We believe that kids should be retained with their kin as far as possible. Institutionalization of children should be the last resort, and it should be done through proper channels,” Rashmi said.
Participating from Nepal, 16 year old Gokul* shared that most of the problems faced by the kids were of similar nature.
“Kids falling into bad company after abandonment, lack of parental sensitivity were some of the issues discussed,” said he, adding that media should be more proactive in spreading such awareness. “Many people are not even aware of SAIEVAC and its vision. Unless people are sensitized about such issues we cannot bring about positive changes,” opined Gokul.
Answering in unison, the children from participating countries – India, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Pakistan – unanimously agreed that that the discussions on issues regarding abuse, violence, and abandonment were helpful in formulating recommendations for the future.
Some of the proposed recommendations include alternative forms of childcare for separated or orphaned children and creating a regional children’s forum to share and formulate ideas for kids.
Adding her bit, Ugyen hoped that the generated recommendations will be adopted by the governments and will be implemented in future legislation, although the response so far has been lukewarm.
Over 100 representatives from South Asian governments, civil society organizations, the UN, INGOs, experts and children were active in the consultation.
The two-day RCC will be followed by Technical Consultations on September 29 at Soaltee Hotel, Kathmandu, which will involve parents and guardians in discussions.
The resulting proposal from the consultation will be submitted to the second SAIEVAC Governing Board Meeting (September 30), aiming to improve the care giving and protection of children.
*The full names of Rashmi and Gokul have been withheld.
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