Protection system launched for social workers

By GYNNIE KERO
CHILD and Family Services office director Simon Yanis says the country will soon know the extent of violence affecting children and families.
Last Friday, the Government launched a protection management system for social welfare workers called Primero.
It is an online and offline case and information management system to protect children, women and survivors of violence.
It aims to support social welfare workers in the management of protection-related data and violence-related cases.
“Primero will help us understand better the extent to which violence affects children and families – an area where data is scarce,” he said.
“The data collected through this new system will cover this gap.
“Primero will make children and women visible and will provide the missing evidence for planning and for increased and actual budget allocation to prevention and response services for survivors of violence.”
Community Development, Youth and Religion Minister Wake Goi said: “Our vision is to protect children, women and families by creating a comprehensive protection system such as Primero that addresses the protection needs and vulnerability of women and girls.”
Primero system administrator Jack Imbu said: “Primero is going to change the way workers handle cases.
“The technology behind Primero provides the opportunity to connect the central level institutions with the sub-national level. Primero will also ensure accountability over case management.”
UN Resident Coordinator Gianluca Rampolla said: “Because of its flexibility to adapt to specific contexts and realities and combine different modules, for example GBV and child protection.
“It is important that in PNG we start to address this violence using a system perspective, avoiding fragmentation.
“This will open up important opportunities for the Government and development partners to maximise use of resources, foster collaboration across sectors, and to accelerate achievement of results.”
Beginning tomorrow (June 1), the Government is expected to start provincial engagements on the implementation of the Lukautim Pikinini Act 2015 to reach five provinces before the end of this year.