Corporate help to create safe environment for children
Government authorities and the corporate sector have pledged to work
together to create a secure environment for children and end all forms
of child abuse and exploitation under a program launched by several
civil society organisations.
Children's clubs have been formed in the Eastern and Central
provinces to campaign against all forms of child abuse on the initiative
of organisations such as World Concern. These clubs recently handed
their appeal for a child-safe environment to Rtd. Maj. Gen. T.T.R. De
Silva, the Government Agent of Trincomalee.
"Children of migrant workers in the Middle East are particularly
vulnerable," says Ms. Selina Prem Kumar, Country Director of World
Concern, "because they lack adequate adult supervision and are left to
fend for themselves."
They have also formed a partnership leading companies to cultivate
the use of child friendly business practices. These include raising
awareness and preventing child pornography, prostitution and
trafficking, and prohibiting child labour in their business environment.
"The corporate sector has an important role to play in ensuring a
just future for the children of Sri Lanka. Child-friendly business
practices must be part and parcel of strategies that drive businesses
forward," says Mr. Susantha Ratnayake, Chairman of John Keells Holdings.
Senior executives of the John Keells Group hosted the children at their
corporate board room.
The children also met with leading business personalities and
pioneers of the hotel industry- Gerard G. Ondaatjie, Deputy Chairman
Mercantile Investments Ltd, Managing Director of Nuwara Eliya Hotel and
Executive Director Tangerine Beach Hotels; and Travice J. Ondaatjie,
Managing Director of Nilaveli Beach Hotel and Executive Director of
Tangerine Beach Hotels.
"The management of Nilaveli Beach Hotel in Trincomalee will continue
to support the awareness campaign to promote a child-safe environment
and help children face a better future," Travice Ondaatjie pledged after
receiving the children's appeal.
"Continue your campaign and get an education for a better future,"
Gerard Ondaatjie encouraged the children.
The corporate sector has been urged to actively participate in more
meaningful child protection initiatives, such as adopting organizational
policies that expressly protect children from abuse and exploitation,
awareness raising campaigns targeting their clients, and education and
training for their staff.
The first month of the campaign was completed on the 20th of
December. The campaign will be continued in other districts for the next
nine months creating awareness on child sexual abuse and child labour
together with the government authorities and other stakeholders. |