Girl Guides launch islandwide Child Safety Week

by Carol Aloysius

The Sri Lankan Girl Guides Association launched an islandwide Child Safety Week on Thursday, calling all stakeholders to mobilise their resources to create a safe environment for children.

"Over 94 percent of children are sexually abused in their homes. Several thousands are beaten, injured in their homes and used for child labour. "We have launched this special week to check this violence", Chief Commissioner, Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association Ms Yasmin Raheem told the Sunday Observer.

She said that was the first program the Association had launched to celebrate its hundredth anniversary in March 2017.

More child- friendly programs will follow throughout the year.

They will be implemented by the Provincial Commissioners of Girl Guides in collaboration with the District and Zonal Commissioners and Guides at school level", she said.

Deputy Chief Commissioner Ms Visaka Tillekeratne who is in overall charge of the programs, said that each program was tailored to meet the specific needs of children in the areas where they were being implemented.

"Our aim is to help develop skills to enable children to protect themselves from harm, in their homes, schools, parks, on the roads or at play.

Safe nutritious food and access to safe water have been included. Each day will focus on a specific topic," she said.

The Child Safety Week concludes on July 1. The last topic will be, 'The child and safe transport'.