International Day of the Girl Child - battle to fight child abuse

Dr Mathu H. Liyanage

It is indeed a matter for relief for individuals and voluntary welfare organisations involved in protecting children from child abuse that the government has declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child following the decision of the United Nations.

The objective is to make governments and the public aware of the need to provide social security and parental care for children, and eliminate or reduce the incidence of child abuse caused by sexual exploitation, enforced labour, neglect and violence in various forms of punishment and torture from schools to homes.

This day coincides with the birthday of Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of America and the chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights who with representatives of 192 countries signed the Bill, which decreed equal rights for all citizens of the world irrespective of gender, race, religion and political affiliations.

Adequate protection

More than declarations and touching words, governments all over should really combat head-on the global problem of child abuse, girls in particular.

Though some sectors are of the view that child (sexual) abuse is a universal problem and Sri Lanka is no exception, yet we cannot be complacent about it as there are no immediate signs of abating the problem. Government circles say that the increase is seen as a result of the media now focussing more on this issue than before and that the government has already provided adequate protection for children and their families. Nevertheless, it should do more to lessen the impact of child abuse on children and make people aware of this problem and harness their support to reduce child abuse. The declaration of the International Day of the Girl Child is indeed directed towards this end.

Crowded dwellings and shanties occupied by families teeming with poverty, particularly in the City of Colombo, and the towns and villages along the coastal belt of the country, are mostly the noted places for breeding child abuse. Besides, living in shanties and crowded homes is also detrimental to the health and growth of children.

The slums in Colombo and the suburbs, and those along the hot tourist spots in the coastal belt should be cleaned up and the families provided with suitable residential houses or units. The government has already taken steps in Colombo to clear the city of slums and move the people to suitable accommodation.

There are reports now that the authorities have started demolishing shanties along the beach in Hikkaduwa - a hot tourist spot - and the adjoining villages amidst protests by the occupants. They should be assured of alternative accommodation before they are moved out. In fact, houses or units should have been built first, so that the transition could take place with ease and to the satisfaction of the shanty-dwellers. The present situation is similar to that of putting the cart before the horse.

Tourist spots

The influx of overseas tourists this year is reported to exceed over a million. It will, no doubt, increase the foreign exchange earnings of the country.

Tourist arrivals have risen to 79,456 by the end of August. There is, therefore, the urgent need to proceed with the cleaning up not only to make the hot tourist spots to look better and beautiful but also to reduce or eliminate the possibility of increasing cases of child abuse as there may be sex tours as well.

It is also equally important for the government to provide social security to these poverty-stricken families by providing suitable avenues for paid or self-employment to reduce poverty. A strong loving family life is the basic and the most significant need to stop the birth and growth of all forms of child abuse.

It may be achieved by a co-ordinating programme drawn up by involving government and voluntary social welfare agencies, such as the probation, social services, the National Child Protection Authority, the Police, local communities and parents, as it may have a greater cumulative effect.

The government alone cannot deal with this rising social danger.