 CHILD DEVELOPMENT UNIT
The Child Development Unit is the executive arm of the Ministry to intervene in cases of child abuse and neglect. The Unit is responsible for the enforcement of legislation pertaining to children and for the implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to the survival, development, protection and participation of children. This Unit works closely with other agencies such as the Police Department and provides a 24-hour service through hot lines. Free legal assistance and psychological counselling to children at risk and in distress, as well as to their parents and families are disposed whenever required.
 OBJECTIVES
 |
To advocate for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
|
|
To ensure enforcement of the provisions of Child Protection Act.
|
|
To promote and propose appropriate legislation for the welfare of children.
|
|
To organize educational and recreational activities for the development of children in collaboration with the National Children Council.
|
|
To initiate projects that promote the protection, development and participation, all gearing towards the welfare of children.
|
|
To ensure co-ordination with different Ministries, Departments and NGOs working for the protection and welfare of children.
|
|
To eliminate child abuse, including commercial sexual exploitation of children and child neglect. |
SERVICES OFFERED
Protection
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women’s Rights, Child Development & Family Welfare has the mandate and authority, to investigate and intervene in cases of suspected child abuse. The Child Protection Act 1994 (amended 1998) confers upon the Permanent Secretary or any public officer designated by him to apply for an emergency protection order in respect of a child who is at risk.
Where a District Magistrate is satisfied by information on oath that the Permanent Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, the District Magistrate issues an Emergency Protection Order.
The Emergency Protection Order confers the power upon the Permanent Secretary authority to inter-alia;
 Enter any premise specified in the order, where necessary by force, and
search for the child, provided that the order or a copy thereof shall be produced
to the occupier of the premises on request;
Remove or return the child to, or to prevent the child’s removal from, any place
of safety;
Request police or medical assistance for the exercise of any power under the
order.
In the course of the investigation and assessment of the risk of maltreatment for the child, the Unit receives input from other professionals like Psychologists, Legal Advisers, Police Officers, and from non-professionals (e.g. parents, children, neighbors, relatives).
If the child is considered to be in danger, the Child Development Unit takes steps to ensure the child’s safety, namely through an application in the court for an Emergency Protection Order whose outcome may involve the removal of the child from his/her home and his/her placement in the temporary shelters of the Ministry.
The figures available at the Child Development Unit since April 1995 show an increase in the number of reported cases. However, it is difficult to ascertain whether there has been an increase in the number of cases or if reporting has become easier through the existing services, the introduction of new legislation or sensitization programmes.
Back to Top
Rehabilitation
Treatment and therapy
The Ministry offers counseling services to victims as well as to their families.
Children, victims of abuse, placed at the shelters, are provided with
psychological support to facilitate their re-integration in society.
Monthly meetings are held with parents whose children are in the shelters
to empower them socially and psychologically and thus preparing them for better
parenting.
Children placed in shelters are provided with school and health facilities
and they are made to participate in creative and recreative activities.
Whenever and wherever possible, family Preservation Programmes are
encouraged.
A Family Rehabilitation Programme is also available for children who have
stayed for too long at the shelters.
Foster Care System
The Foster Care System aims at providing the opportunity to children victims of abuse and/or neglect to live in a substitute family on a temporary basis. The role of the foster parents is to give support to the child and help him to grow physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.
The ultimate goal of the Foster Care System is to provide support to the biological parents with a view to rehabilitate them and to help the child to reintegrate in his/her family.
The Foster Care System has been launched on a pilot basis in December 2002 and since 31st May, 2004, it has become a permanent project of the CDU. The system is monitored by a Foster Care Advisory Committee.
Since October 2002, 81 families have applied for registration as foster parents/foster families and 38 of them have been granted registration, 43 children have already been placed in 34 families.
Child Development
Early Childhood Development (ECD)
The Ministry of Women’s Rights, Child Development and Family Welfare has an additional responsibility to cater for children in the cohort of 0-3 years. A study was commissioned on provision of early childcare in 1996, which has been used as a reference for the elaboration of the policy paper.
In this respect, the National Early Childhood Development (ECD) policy paper (0-3 years) was officially presented in 1998. It is being implemented to improve the child’s overall development through the introduction and adoption of integrated and holistic approach to ECD. Seven key statements constitute the backbone of the National ECD Policy Paper.
Policy Statement 1: Establishment of a system for Child Care in Mauritius.
Policy Statement 2: Establishment of a system for Accreditation and Quality
Improvement for Child Care
Policy Statement 3: Development of a training programme for personnel working
in Early Child Development.
Policy Statement 4: Development of strategies of parental education and
community awareness.
Policy Statement 5: Development of a curriculum framework for (0-3) years
Policy Statement 6: Equity and Access in the provision of early child services.
Policy Statement 7: Development of the concept of integrated services for early
childhood.
Based on this Policy Paper, an ECD Action Plan has been prepared. The Implementation of this Action Plan is being carried out by the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Section which was set up within the Child Development Unit (CDU) of the Ministry with a view to achieving the goals of the ECD Policy Paper.
The Institutions for Welfare and Protection of Children, Regulations 2000 under the Child Protection Act, with established norms and standards has been enacted in December 2000 to regulate childcare services including home-based facilities. It is mandatory for all Day Care Centres (DCCs) to be registered with the Ministry.
The enforcement of the Regulations 2000 is being ensured by Ministry’s officers through regular visits and refresher courses on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) 0-3 years.
Around 200 DCCs have applied for registration.
A Child Care Advisory Committee was set up to advise on the appropriate mechanisms, strategies, coordinated planning in the execution of ECD Programmes and establishing a sound working relationships amongst child care providers.
A Child Care Accreditation Bureau (CCAB) was set up in January 2001 and was reconstituted in June 2004.
The Accreditation of Child Care Centres in Mauritius Handbook (0-3 years) was launched on 20 November 2003.
The Child Care Accreditation Project was launched on 28 February 2005. Its implementation is being done on a voluntary pilot basis in 24 registered DCCs.
The CCAB has the responsibility to implement and manage the Accreditation System based on principles and standards established for quality care including Health and Nutrition. It has also the sole Authority to accredit a centre.
An Early Childhood Development Programme Guidelines (0-3 years) has been produced and launched on 20 November 2003. This Handbook is giving sound directions on caring services and teaching approaches emphasizing on play-based learning and child-centred pedagogy.
Training has been given due attention with a view to promoting capacity building of Child Care Personnel to ensure a good development perspective of child growth and individual differences thus facilitating the transition from DCCs to pre primary schools.
725 Caregivers / managers have received basic courses on ECCD (0-3 years) from 2000-2005.
Parenting Education Programmes have been conducted on ECCD (0-3 yrs) all around the Island. About 12500 parents have been sensitized and another 11000 parents reached through peer to peer education.
An Incentive Scheme in the form of Basic Kits comprising of educational toys are being provided to all registered DCCs on an on-going basis.
Creativity Centre
A Creativity Centre for children has been set up at Mahebourg. The aim of the project is to have a Creativity Centre similar to the “Bal Bhawan” of India, to serve as a focal point for creativity, recreation and leisure activities for children. This project received the support of the Government of India through the technical assistance of experts.
In August 2002, 10 children accompanied by 2 teachers from the Bal Bhawan, Delhi, participated in a cultural exchange programme in Mauritius. The purpose behind is to strengthen the ties between Mauritius and India. Tours were organized for them and they even performed in Rodrigues.
In November 2002, 6 children from the Kids & Teen clubs, 1 child from the Mascot Children and 1 from Rodrigues accompanied by 2 escorts, participated in an Integration Camp Programme at the Bal Bhawan, Delhi.
Children learned a lot about creative activities like Jal Sanjhi, flower making, wall painting & Rangoli etc. Tours visit was organized for them.
Along with that, the following, International Events are being celebrated:
World Poetry Day
Day of the African Child
Universal Children's Day
Universal Broadcasting Day
Tardy Declaration of birth
A campaign for Tardy Declaration of Birth was launched by this Ministry in December 2000 in both Mauritius and Rodrigues, with a view to identify undeclared children. The Ministry, acting as a facilitator has also set up a Special Committee in 2001 with a view to speeding up the Tardy Declaration procedures. Till date some 466 cases have been reported out of which 200 children have already been declared.
Back to Top
Prevention
Child Protection Mechanism
The Ministry stresses a lot in multi-sectoral approach with a view to deal with cases of abuse in a more co-ordinated way. For this purpose the cooperation of the key ministries like the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Security, the Police Department and the NGOs is sought. In line with that, a Child Protection Unit (CPU) was set up at Floreal in 2000 where, officers of the Ministry in collaboration with the Police take record of statements and carry out interviews . The main purpose of the CPU is to provide a safe and conducive environment to children as well as enable victims to voice out their problems and minimize their trauma.
A Training for trainers programme on Child protection issues and psychosocial rehabilitation of victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation was launched on 5 May 2003. The project targeted mainly police officers, street workers, educational officers and NGOs among others.
A National Child Protection Committee has been set up since 2002 with a view to coordinate and monitor the work of the Area Child Protection Committees.
Area Child Protection Committees (ACPC) have been made operational in the Districts of Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis,Grand Port/Savanne, Black River, Pamplemousses/Riviere du Rempart and Flacq since April 2003.
The main objectives are to:
Reduce harm and prevent further injury or suffering to children victims
of violence and abuse
Provide accessible, reliable and coordinated guidance on cases of
violence and abuse and ensure that the victims receive appropriate
medical or other treatment
Promote and safeguard the welfare of children generally
The ACPC will be responsible (inter-alia) to:
Develop and agree on local policies and procedures for inter
agency work for the protection of children
Encourage and help develop effective working relationships between
different services and professional groups.
Undertake studies on selected cases of child abuse and to make
appropriate recommendations to ensure coordinated and concerted
actions including training in relation to child protection
Child Watch Network
The Ministry of Women’s Rights, Child Development & Family Welfare believes in the involvement, partnership and support of the community in addressing the problem of child abuse. To make this concept operational, the Ministry has set up childwatch networks. The child-watch is a programme which looks out for children exposed to any harm and abuse. The objectives are to ensure the early detection and identify children at risk and who are exposed to child abuse conditions. These cases are channeled through a coordinating structure for appropriate action.
This network receives the support of volunteers, of members of “Forces Vives” and of the officers of the CDU. This network is presently operating in the following regions:
Ste Croix
Cite Riche Lieu
Pte aux sables
Tombeau Bay
Camp Le Vieux, Rose-Hill
Cite Ste Catherine, St Pierre
|
