Children’s issues not visible: Official

AS Papua New Guinea grows, children’s issues are becoming less visible and talked about, a government official says.
National Office of Child and Family Services director Simon Yanis said this at a press conference on Thursday in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
He spoke about the new provincial bylaw his department had come up with to decentralise powers to affect the Lukautim Pikinini Act. He said this would allow the act to be implemented in line with the context and culture of provinces.
Yanis urged all provincial governments to adopt the Lukautim Pikinini Act (2015) in their respective provinces.
“As the first CEO and director of this new department, I would like to see the commitment of Government in areas like establishing offices in all the provinces, endorsing policies and making sure our children are safe and secure,” he said.
“Changing the children today means changing the society for a better future.”
Four provinces have committed in the decentralisation of the Lukautim Pikinini Act.
Enga was the first to commit followed by the National Capital District, Central and Mine Bay.
Yanis called on Western Highlands governor Paias Wingti to help establish an office in his province.