Save the Children is deeply concerned that children are being exposed to harm at political rallies and calls on politicians to keep children safe.
Children that are being used by politicians during rallies and campaigning risk being exposed to violence, alcohol usage, and threats to their personal safety.
As an organization committed to upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Save the Children views this matter very seriously.
Save the Children’s Country Director Fiu Williame-lgara expressed concern about the trend being reported in the media about children being exposed to harm during the election campaign period.
“We’re concerned about the impact on children’s protection, education, and overall wellbeing when they are made to be involved in election-related rallies or campaigns and the harm that may be caused to them during this period as it can be volatile.”
“Save the Children is calling on politicians, parents, and caregivers to be more responsible and vigilant ensuring children are kept safe during this time and are not being put in harm’s way.”
About Save the Children
Save the Children has been working in PNG since 1974. Our work covers 70% of the country, and we have an estimated total reach of 1 ,000 000 children from working across 22 provinces and have 6 field offices located in 5 provinces — Morobe, Western, Eastern Highlands, East Sepik, and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
SCPNG is guided by a clear 2022-2024 Strategic Plan that is aligned to the Government of PNG’s (GoPNG) policies and priorities and has a model of delivery that embeds staff in key sector agencies of Government at national and provincial levels. SCPNG invests in GoPNG priority sectors of Education, Health, Wash, Protection of Women, Girls, and Children, and more recently in cash programming.