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A champion for children's rights

By ELIJAH FAIPARIK
There does not seem to be enough hours in a day for Lita Hesingut Mugugia to do what her heart desires.
And that is to ensure that children throughout PNG grow up in a safe, secure and loving environment, where their rights for an education, health, food and spiritual development are upheld.
And she has worked tirelessly over the past 30 years to help make a difference for women and children who are hurting because of neglect and abuse.
Mrs Mugugia's efforts, and her service to the community were recognized when she was recently awarded the British Empire Medal by the Queen.
Mrs Mugugia is the Principle Coordinator - Child Protection in the Department for Community Development at Waigani.
Her journey to this position began when she was 16 years old, fresh out of grade 10 from Busu high school in Morobe province in 1973.
The interest to work with people came from watching her parents and their involvement in their Masangko village, in the Finchaffen district of Morobe province.
"My parents were my mentors. Mum was a leader in the village women's club and was active in church fellowship groups, my father was a public servant working in the district office and also a church and community leader.
"Their interest in people and the community instilled the desire in me to do likewise," she said.
"After grade 10 I applied to be a trainee community development officer with the Government.
She served in Morobe, Madang, Gulf and Central provinces for a number of years before being selected to do her Public Service Higher Certificate at Institute of Public Administration. She graduated in 1981 with a Diploma in Social Development.
Under the sponsorship of the Department of Community Development Mrs Mugugia entered the University of PNG and graduated in 1999 with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work.
Coming from a strong Christian background Mrs Mugugia gives glory and honour to God for her success as a career woman and a mother.
"Being a career woman and a mother can be exhausting but I believe with God's wisdom working mothers can find a balance in their lives.
"I find that it is always wise that no matter how busy you are, you must always have time for your children. Always put your children's interests first.
"I saw my children education as a priority and although I was so busy attending to the lives and problems of other families I made it a priority to ensure that my seven children were educated,"
Her commitment has paid off, four of her older children are pursuing careers in various fields, her last three are in TAFE, grade 12 and grade four.
Mrs Mugugia says many parents in PNG are shunning their responsibilities.
"Parent's are not carrying out their responsibilities to their children. Fathers are neglecting children, not supporting their wives and children financially and emotionally, and this is contributing to a lot of heart ache in women and children," she said.
"This is not good because children grow up not valuing marriage, young people get married without realizing that marriage is a huge commitment and that a child is a huge responsibility.
"It is common practice now for young people to marry young, have children and leave them with their parents to raise.
"I have come across many children brought up by grandparents, who feel unloved, unattached and are very rebellious towards their biological parents."
Her job has seen her venture into broken homes and shattered lives and her love and compassion for the needy has kept her going.
She believes in giving and sharing and that if one does this, you will see blessings in your own children.
She urges parents to be role models for their children.
"Parents must spend more time with their children and less time on other activities that won't benefit the children. They must not misuse money but spend it on the needs of their children. If children feel loved and wanted they will in turn grow up to be responsible adults.
Mrs Mugugia believes mothers have an important role as mentors and educators to their children,
"The children will succeed if their mothers raise them with strong values, instill discipline and the fear of God in their lives. Mothers must protect their children," she said.
Mrs Mugugia said there are laws in place to protect mothers and children against violence and other abuses. But not a lot of women are aware of this.
"There are welfare offices in all provinces, district headquarters and even right down to the local level government. Women must know that there are people there to help them ,if they are being abused, deserted and their children neglected. They must raise their concern to the authorities.
Mrs Mugugia said fathers who desert wives and children must know that neglecting their responsibilities, failing to provide support for children is a criminal act.
"The law has a long arm, it will catch up with you one day,"
She said the Lukautim Pikinini Act once passed by Parliament will give more teeth to relevant authorities to deal with fathers who neglect and abuse wives and children.
Mrs Mugugia acknowledged her employer, the Department for Community Development for supporting female officers.
"I would not have come this far had it not been for the support from the Department. They made it possible for me to obtain my University degree and develop personally and professionally. I am very grateful for this," she said.
"In fact the department is very supportive towards the career development of its female employees,"
She also thanked her parents for her upbringing, and colleagues that have supported her throughout her career and her lawyer husband and children who have understood the kind of work she does.
Two other members of her family have previously received Queens honours medals, her father Hesingut Babai Wangu (BEM) in 1987 for services to the community and her late brother Henu Hesingut (OBE) in the early nineties for his contributions to development.
She humbly accepts the medal but says that there is still a lot of work to be done.
"There are thousands of children throughout the country who are neglected, unloved, hurting and hungry,
"I would like to see parents show more concern for their children, I would like to see communities stand together against violence in homes, I would like to see young people fully understand that getting married and starting a family is not a matter to be taken lightly,
"I wish there was more hours in a day for me to reach out and make a difference for women and children who are hurting inside,"