The rights of children are misinterpreted in Samoa, says the Ministry of Woman, Community and Social Development.

The Ministry organised a national forum last Friday to ensure they could make Samoans more aware of what the children’s rights are.

In a statement issued by the Ministry, they said Samoa signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 29, 1994, with the commitment under the Convention to enact necessary legislation to give domestic effect to the CRC.  

Samoa prioritises all articles under the CRC with efforts in promoting and protecting the rights of children. There have been legislations and policies developed in Samoa’s efforts , such as the Infants Ordinance 1961, Samoa Family Safety 2013, Samoa Education Act 2009 and the pending Child Care and Protection Bill 2020.

The current Samoa National Child Care and Protection Policy 2020-2030 sets out on the government’s priorities towards child care and protection, with emphasis on prevention, addressing current and emerging issues and challenges concerning the care and protection of the children in Samoa.

Although a lot of work has been done to ensure children are protected and are recognising their rights as human beings, there is still more that needs to be done.

Samoa celebrates the importance of children every year in October during White Sunday. However, this year, the Ministry recognizes the Universal Children’s day which is celebrated every year on the 20th of November in honour of all children in the world.

The international theme for this year is “For every child, every right”. This day is widely celebrated to commemorate the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, to raise awareness about the rights, education and welfare of our children.

For this year, the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development as the focal point for child protection, coordinated a programme “Children’s Forum”.

The National Human Rights Institution representative Ellenlina Moala presented on the content of the declaration as well as explicating on child’s rights. The forum was also an opportunity to advocate on the importance of child safeguarding in sports, in which Toluiva Keneti of Lakapi Samoa touched on

Rosalina Ah Sue from the ministry spoke on the Child Protection Response Pathway in the Inter-Essential Services Guide.

 A representative of Samoa Family Health Association, Leiloa Asaasa Ropati spoke on the desensitization of issues in relation to sexual reproductive health pertaining to youth.

Government Ministries, organisations, selected community representatives as well as students from selected schools, were invited to listen and share with the chosen presenters on the presented topics.