Cyberbullying, fostering, gender identity and healthcare are some of the issues featured in a child-friendly version of Malta’s first national children’s policy which is being handed out to pupils.
Some were distributed on Monday at St Theresa College, Middle School in Birkirkara, ahead of World Children’s Day, marked today.
The policy, which includes 110 proposals aimed at securing children’s safety, ensuring the availability of services and promoting children’s involvement across all levels of society, was launched last year.
Children aged four to 17 were consulted as part of the drafting process and the policy document has been simplified and included in a children’s book called The Mystery Box and the Adventure of the Five Lands.
Children are provided with the appropriate channels to voice their opinion
The launch of the book on Monday also marked the beginning of a series of workshops that will be held in various schools.
The outcome of the workshops will contribute to the monitoring of the implementation of the policy itself, something that the Office of the Commissioner for Children has been tasked with.
The Office is reminding those entrusted with the care of children of their crucial role in ensuring they enjoy their childhood and have access to their rights: “As human beings, children are provided with the appropriate channels to voice their opinion and influence decisions made within the family, school and community.”
On Tuesday, more than 70 primary, middle and secondary State, Church and independent schools are be celebrating World Children’s Day, while various local councils are also organising activities to mark the event.
Some of the 110 policy objectives
▪ Promote best practice among retailers, media and the entertainment industry to eliminate sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood;
▪ Enhance children’s access to an imprisoned or hospitalised parent or primary caregiver;
▪ Revise the system and mechanism by which a child is deemed ‘at risk’, so that these capture various situations that can expose a child to significant harm;
▪ Promote prevention and screening so as to facilitate early medical and psychological treatment among children;
▪ Ensure enforcement of standards that regulate the representation of children in the media and public activities;
▪ Provide support to children whose parents are facing personal challenging situations such as addiction and ill-health.