Gov’t, NGOs launch policy to improve services for children
THE General Secretariat of the Cambodian National Council for Children (CNCC), Plan International Cambodia and ChildFund Cambodia announced the launch of the National Policy of Child Protection System (NPCPS) at a ceremony on Wednesday.
The announcement signalled the Kingdom’s willingness to invest in children’s education and development.
The ceremony was presided over by Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and CNCC chairman Vong Soth. Present at the ceremony were 190 representatives from ministries, institutions and the private sector.
Soth said the NPCPS expresses the government’s commitment to strengthening and expanding its policies related to children. The national policy was initially planned as a 10-year project lasting from 2019 to 2028.
“This nationa l policy can concentrate on investing in children and resources more systematica lly so t hat a ll of them have equal opportunities to become human resources who can contribute to nationa l development,” he said.
CNCC secretary-general Nhep Sopheap said the national policy demonstrates the government’s willingness to promote the rights and protection of children.
“This policy addresses the issues of children in Cambodia as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In particular, the policy was compiled jointly by the interministerial working group of the National Child Protection Commission,” she said.
A joint press release on the NPCPS said it is based on prevention and protection, intervention, and service delivery and response.
A major aim of the policy is to improve the protection of children from all forms of abuse and exploitation in the country.
The press release said the government acknowledged the need to invest more in social workers and ensure children have access to legal and social services. The policy also plans to improve the government’s response to children affected by disasters.
Gwynneth Wong, the country director of Plan International Cambodia and Prashant
Verma, ChildFund Cambodia’s country director, said the development of the NPCPS started three years ago.
“Plan International Cambodia, ChildFund Cambodia and all partners are pleased to support this important national policy development process, as well as promote and implement this policy, to ensure that every child receives equal rights for equity and social justice,” the country directors said.