Minister of Women’s Affairs H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi this month launched three different toolkits on positive parenting to promote positive child education through increased knowledge and skills and access to appropriate and timely parenting support.
The toolkits developed by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs with support from relevant ministries and development partners, mark another milestone in the government’s ongoing effort to end physical punishment, exploitation and neglect of children in Cambodia, said a joint media release on Mar. 14.
According to a survey performed by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, and relevant ministries, more than 50 percent of Cambodian children have experienced psychological violence, 25 percent have experienced mental violence, and 5 percent have been sexually abused by their family members. This has a powerful and profound impact on children’s lives and hopes for the future, as well as on their families, communities and society at large. COVID-19 has further compounded this situation as the risk of violence against children increased due to loss of income and livelihoods.
In response to the research findings, UNICEF, ChildFund, and Save the Children collaborated with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to develop a five-year strategic plan on positive parenting 2017-2021. The three toolkits on positive parenting are guided by this strategic plan and aim to further its implementation.
The toolkits, which are divided into three levels, promote positive parenting through increased knowledge and skill, and access to appropriate and timely parenting support. The guidance and resources provided by these toolkits aim to create a safe, gender-equitable, and non-violent family environment in which children can communicate effectively with their parents or guardians, grow up feeling safe and become successful members of society.
UNICEF, ChildFund and Save the Children have provided technical and financial support to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and development partners to implement and roll out these toolkits. Through the utilisation of the toolkit levels 1 and 2, this support has benefited over 90,000 parents and caregivers, whose knowledge and practices were enhanced on positive parenting. This month’s launch of specialise toolkit level 3 will enable additional specialised support for the most vulnerable children and their families.
“The Ministry of Women’s Affairs is committed to continuing to implement and expand the positive parenting programme to ensure that children remain safe in their homes, develop well physically and mentally, and become potential human resources as adults,” said H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs.
“I encourage all relevant ministries, organisations and stakeholders to continue to invest in children and this parenting programme in order to contribute to the development of potential human resources and the achievement of sustainable development goals,” she added.
The toolkits are designed to build knowledge and skills for parents about their responsibilities to their children, including child development, positive discipline, child rights and child protection, well-being of parent, and family communications, as well as to teach children about self-reflection, potential adult tricks, and how to seek help.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press