The Children’s Court, which will have jurisdiction to hear and determine cases involving children and ensure a child-friendly environment and the best interests of children during Court proceedings, will be inaugurated in a few weeks, announced the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah.
She was speaking, today, during the inauguration of the Notre Dame Relay Centre, at Avenue La Plaine, in Notre Dame. The Relay Centre will provide a secure and temporary shelter to children in distress namely for newborns and for children aged up to eight years old. The Members of Parliament, Mrs Subhasnee Luchmun Roy and Mrs Marie Joanne Sabrina Tour, the Chairperson of the National Children’s Council (NCC), Mr M. Murtuza, and other personalities were present.
The event, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare and the NCC, was also marked by the launching of a leaflet on drugs and substance abuse; award of certificates to child caregivers; and unveiling of the inauguration Plate of the Relay Centre.
In her address, Minister Koonjoo-Shah stated that Government has as topmost priority the welfare and preserving the rights of children. She spoke of several budgetary measures 2020-2021 introduced to cater for the needs of children in distress as well as empower them and protect their best interests.
She recalled that in the same endeavour, a first Relay Centre in Cap Malheureux was inaugurated in January this year. The Notre Dame Relay Centre, she stated, shows Government’s engagement to continue to work for the welfare of children.
For his part, Mr Murtuza indicated that the aim of the Notre Dame Relay Centre is to provide children with a temporary shelter and parental role and care whenever parents fail to do so. He reassured that the caregivers will assume their responsibilities in the most diligent manner and work in the best interest of the children.
