New Lukautim Pikinini Act

The new Lukautim Pikinini Act will give a new twist to how rights of children should be addressed by the government, parents and other organisations.

This is from the Secretary for the Department of Community Development, Ms Anna Solomon. 

She said the Act is currently with the Department of Justice and Attorney General awaiting the final Certificate of Necessity before it can be tabled, preferably in the next parliament seating. 

“The reason why we came up with this new Act is because of too many street kids everywhere and we strongly feel that this new law will help decrease the number of street kids in the country” said Ms Solomon. 

She said “Some of these kids do have homes and parents but they are neglected by their own parents and some of them are forced by their guardians or parents to stand on streets and beg for money”

Ms Solomon said the Act will hold parents accountable if they neglect their children and this will make parents be more responsible for their own children as they will be charged for negligence.

Meanwhile Ms Solomon said, one of the biggest challenges the Department is facing is the Out of Care Homes for the homeless children.

“This has been a challenge for us but I’m happy to be working in partnership with some organisations that have already set up homes for homeless children” said Ms Solomon.

She added, “The government has already released grants to these Homes and we’re supporting them in the work that they do so they can cater for the homeless children”.