CHILD MISHAP AT HOME SADDENS SAVE THE CHILDREN FIJI ORGANISATION

The recent fatal incident occurring in the country of an infant who drowned in her home is very unfortunate and heartbreaking, says Iris Low-McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Save the Children Fiji. Low-McKenzie spoke up after local media brought to light the recent incident involving a one-year old child who drowned last week.

“This calls for a reminder to parents and guardians about our responsibility in caring and protecting our children” Low-McKenzie said. Neglect changes childhoods, but so can we.

“At all times we should ensure that children’s best interests and safety is our priority over other obligations and responsibilities. Children have the right to be protected and we have to ensure that we are not violating their rights at any costs. Infants are not able to judge what is right or wrong and it is our responsibility to ensure that we protect and care for them.”

“We should also be reminded about the repercussions and the implications of child negligence in our country. “Courts are now imposing harsher penalties which highlights a commitment in addressing and eliminating cases of neglect so we need to be vigilant.”