Airtel takes up fight against child abuse with College of
Paediatricians
In an effort to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect,
Bharti Airtel in partnership with the Sri Lanka College of
Paediatricians is launching a booklet which outlines the knowledge,
skills and attitudes that are required of parents and teachers to help
protect children from abuse and neglect.
|
Paduma Subasinghe, Head of Employee Engagement and Talent
Development handing over a copy of the book titled ‘lets
protect our children from abuse and neglect’ to Prof. Asvini
D Fernando president, Sri Lanka College of Pediatricians at
the recently concluded 15th Annual Scientific Congress of
the Sri Lanka College of Pediatricians. |
Child abuse constitutes a social problem that affects all societies
of the world. A recent study by the World Health Organization points out
that millions of children suffer some form of abuse and require medical
and social attention. Child abuse and neglect is not a new phenomenon;
it has been around since the beginning of time. It leads to exposure to
unnecessary suffering and actual or potential damage to health and
development. The effects last a lifetime. The aim of this book is to
address the issue of child abuse and neglect from a multidimensional
perspective.
Bharti Airtel has partnered with the Sri Lanka College of
Paediatricians (SLCP) in this latest effort towards corporate social
responsibility. Sharing her views, Prof Asvini D Fernando, President,
Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians stated that “Child abuse and neglect
has become a major concern for all responsible citizens of the country.
“In my view, there is nothing more vicious and outrageous than the
abuse, exploitation and harm of the most vulnerable members of our
society,” says Suren Goonewardene, CEO/MD, Airtel Lanka. “Therefore, we
view it as critical to help children; we must also strengthen
parent/child bonding, improve communications, and help
parents/caregivers manage many environmental challenges. Child abuse and
neglect is sometimes the result of a parent who reaches the end of their
frustration and tolerance level.
If we can give parents tools to deal with an infant who is
particularly challenging with their crying, we have taken an important
step towards our prevention mandate. And so this booklet has been
published, and a toll free hotline has been established, based on the
belief that the community should share in the responsibility of
responding to child abuse allegations.” |
