Collaboration between MJCS, Vanuatu Association of NGOs and Save the Children to engage with communities

PORT VILA, MARCH 15: The Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MJCS) has teamed up with NGOs from across Vanuatu to raise awareness of the benefits of the upcoming Child Protection Bill.

Representatives from MJCS, the Vanuatu Association of NGOs (VANGO) and Save the Children have signed an MOU that will deliver community engagement on how children will be better protected under the new legislation.

Outlining the significance of the MOU signing, Hon, John Amos Nalau Masilaiwia, Minister of Justice and Community Services, said the awareness activities will help communities understand the bill’s positive proposals. “Our MJCS vision is that children across Vanuatu enjoy a peaceful and rewarding life. Protecting and supporting children is a communal mission – whether that’s in families, government, churches, NGOs, or other areas of life. We all want our children to survive, develop, participate and be protected. That’s why we need to highlight the importance of the Child Protection bill across society. Today’s MOU signing will play a significant part in demonstrating what the bill will mean for all children in Vanuatu.”

The official signing at the MJCS office in Port Vila was conducted by the First Political Adviser to the Minister of Justice Russell Nari, Coordinator of the MJCS Human Rights Unit Albert Nalpini, VANGO’s Chairman William Nasak and Polly Banks, Country Director at Save the Children, who both expressed their organisations’ commitment to the collaboration.

According to Chairman Nasak, as part of the agreement, VANGO will facilitate the logistics and financial management of the activities and assist in disseminating information. “As the umbrella organisation for Vanuatu’s CSOs, VANGO is concerned about our children and their futures. Having an act that protects our children is the first step in ensuring their rights are realised and they can reach their potential. VANGO will assist MJCS to ensure the Child Protection Bill is communicated across all our provinces.”

Meanwhile, according to Country Director Banks Save the Children Vanuatu will assist in community mobilisation and engagement efforts, support the delivery of accurate information about the bill, and provide technical advice on child protection, child development and safeguarding issues. “This bill is critical for the future of children in Vanuatu. Save the Children is delighted to join this effort to raise awareness and increase public understanding of the bill’s impact on children’s lives.”

Since 2019, MJCS has been actively involved in developing a new Child Protection bill for Vanuatu, in close collaboration with the National Child Protection Working Group, and MJCS and partners will soon begin of a phase of awareness raising with Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers and members of parliament.

Following these discussions, MJCS awareness teams, under the direction of the MJCS Child Desk, will travel across Vanuatu to engage with communities and stakeholders.

These community awareness efforts will be delivered under a 2019 mandate from the Council of Minister’s for MJCS to conduct nationwide consultations on the proposed law.