Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paul Raj has expressed shock over the incident in which a 15-year-old girl was found with a newborn baby following an unsafe delivery in the Knuckles area.
In a special statement issued on November 14, the Minister said she was deeply shocked by the incident as a mother, while expressing relief that both the minor girl and the newborn were now safe.
She said relevant departments had already been instructed to implement all necessary government interventions to safeguard the physical and mental health of both children and ensure their future wellbeing.
The Minister observed that, amid the complexities of modern society, the mutual connection and communication that should exist between parents and children were gradually disappearing.
She said this had contributed to children becoming insecure even within their immediate surroundings, which should ideally be the safest environment for them.
Emphasising the importance of building trust within families, she urged parents to ensure that children have the unwavering belief that they are safe with their parents, regardless of the circumstances.
She added that creating a safe family environment and encouraging open communication could significantly reduce the occurrence of dangerous and traumatic incidents of this nature.
The Minister also said the incident highlighted the need for government institutions and other parties that interact with vulnerable individuals to be more approachable, accessible and trustworthy.
She further revealed that the Ministry was taking steps, including allocating funds, to implement a new Alternative Care Policy from 2027 to address the needs of children who find themselves in unsafe and vulnerable situations.
Stressing that safeguarding children’s rights and safety was the responsibility of society as a whole, she called on all citizens to be more sensitive and attentive towards children. (Newswire)
