Stakeholders Discuss Policies for Child Protection and Well-Being at National Children’s Day Programme

The stakeholder consultation workshop on policies related to child protection and well-being, the first programme of the 2026 National Children’s Day Week Programme, was held under the patronage of Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj.

Ministry officials and policymakers participated in the event.

The following speakers addressed the gathering:

Emma Bigham – UNICEF Representative

Namal Sudarshana – Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs

The Deputy Minister said that the Government had introduced a programme aimed at strengthening support for children over the next two years.

He said laws relating to cybercrime against children need to be updated.

“There is a major responsibility before us to work for children. We are committed to building a country where children can live in a better environment,” he said.

Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj

Minister of Women and Child Affairs

Minister Paulraj said the limitations created within the existing system need to be broken down.

She said some people could hide behind policies and avoid taking action.

“If a child or woman continues to be subjected to abuse because officials remain confined to a policy or circular, while the person is supposed to receive protection and benefits under that policy, then that policy or circular is of no use to the country,” she said.

She said it was the responsibility of a government to identify and change such gaps and regulations.

“Policies and circulars should not be used to put restrictions on the work of officials. The priority of public service should not be the officer, but the person receiving the service,” she said.

The Minister acknowledged that many people who should have received services had been missed by the existing system.

She said officials should not wait until a risk or an incident of abuse occurs before taking action.

“Policies or circulars without humanity are merely empty papers and empty clauses,” she said.

She added that the Government was experiencing a more humanitarian approach under the President and Prime Minister.