job & Phnom Penh, 19 September 2013: “Children’s rights are equal to human rights and special rights,” explained Mr. Keo Sokea to trainees in a capacity building training for members of Commune Women and Children’s Committees (CWCC) and community child protection…
Phnom Penh, 19 September 2013: “Children’s rights are equal to human rights and special rights,” explained Mr. Keo Sokea to trainees in a capacity building training for members of Commune Women and Children’s Committees (CWCC) and community child protection. The event was organized by Amici del Bambini on 10-13 September 2013 and was held at the Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior.
Miss Chea Mara, the coordinator of the training, explained that the purpose was to develop the capacity of the CWCC to contribute towards eliminating children abandonment and the exploitation of children, and to promote children’s care and their human rights.
“Generally, some commune councils did not well understand the key roles they should play in protecting children’s rights,” said Miss Mara. “It is not meant that they do not know about children’s rights, but sometimes, they are not aware of it or they forget it. So, this training is a key reminder for them.”
Mr. Keo Sokea, Director General of SK&P Cambodia Law Firm, and also a trainer, explained numerous children’s rights to the trainees. He also told all the commune councils that children have equal rights to adults or older people and that in addition they have special rights – the four major rights stipulated by law.
He told the commune councils that councils are important at local levels, and that councils can contribute to protecting and providing adequate rights to the children.
“We cannot abuse the children’s rights,” he said. “Even though they are young, they have more rights than the adults or older people. As adults, we have responsibilities to protect and give these rights to them.”
22 trainees (9 females) from Psar Thmey I commune, Psar Thmey II, and Psar Thmey III commune of Daun Penh district, Phnom Penh, participated in the training.
Mrs. Srey Sokun, Permanent Member of the CWCC from Psar Thmey II commune, said she joined the training because she wanted to get a better understanding of children’s rights.
“I am so happy that I gained this knowledge and met with other commune councils to share the experience with each other,” she said.
After this training, she said she will use this knowledge to improve the situation in her commune.
The training covered the topic of the children’s rights, child development and effective communication with children, and procedures to implement the policy on alternative care for children, with experts from relevant institutions.
This training is scheduled to be conducted at all communes in Phnom Penh and Kandal province in the future.
By, Ry Sochan /NCDDS.