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| Saturday, 18 September 2004 |
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by Nadira Gunatilleke A Cabinet paper on National Social Development Plan will shortly be presented in order to launch `Gemi Pubuduwa' a social development program which is to be implemented in rural level with the participation of all the other ministries, said Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena. She was addressing a press briefing held at the Government Information Department, Colombo 5 yesterday in connection with the South Asian Mid Term Review of the Yokohama Global Commitment 2001 to be held in Colombo, from September 29 to October 1. Minister Jayasena said that the program will be launched from the Moneragala district and extended to Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Ampara and Hambantota districts in its second phase. With this program villages will be developed according to the proposals and wishes of all villagers, especially women, youth and children. Children are the future generation of the country. We have a very talented child community. Taking care of them is our prime responsibility. One of the highlights of this conference is the participation of children from all South Asian countries, she added. UNICEF representative in Sri Lanka, Ted Chaiban said that many children get involved in commercial sex trade due to poverty. They do not have proper communication with their parents. Child exploitation cause severe psychological and physical impact which have long-term effects. Victimised children fail to lead normal lives because of the social stigma. Schooling prevents children from involving in anti-social activities such as commercial sex and drug addiction. National Child Protection Authority Chairman Prof. Harendra de Silva said that several local people are also engaged in child exploitation and they use children for commercial sex. Poverty, domestic violence, domestic abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse and absence of mothers are some of the push factors of child exploitation. Money (income), houses, vehicles, jobs and other small benefits such as caps, pens and T-shirts are some of the pull factors. Some parents do not understand the long-term negative impacts of child exploitation due to ignorance and poor education. Speaking about the awareness raising implemented by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, a representative of the Tourist Board said that the society will be educated on both good and bad effects of tourism. Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Sita Rajapaksa, representatives from UNICEF and Sri Lanka Tourist Board were present. |
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