Ceps calls on government and partners to support causes for children |16 August 2023

Ms Larue (centre) speaking to the press in the presence of other Ceps members

Children are at the centre of the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps) focus, as they remain vulnerable and are often the victims of society’s social ills.

Chairperson of Ceps, Françoise Larue, on Friday noted that the subject was among the main points discussed during the platform’s meeting with the Vice-President’s office last Thursday.

“We are living in a time whereby a lot is happening regarding children. A number of ministries are already engaged with different programmes, which is good, but we have also observed some deficiencies.”

“There remain areas where we, as civil society, feel that we should make more of an effort, and that government should assist non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or find means to better cater for our children,” Ms Larue said.

Ms Larue highlighted the rise in children going missing from home, noting that the public often come to negative conclusions that do not necessarily reflect the reality.

She proposed that in-depth studies should be conducted, noting that there are ample opportunities for government to partner with NGOs in providing interventions and services such as after-school and holiday programmes to empower children and youths.

Government has for a number of years made a Children’s Special Fund (CSF) accessible to support programmes and projects that promote the well-being of children in Seychelles.

“We feel that in some circumstances, the funds do not necessarily touch the groups who are most in need, for instance, those who are much younger.”

“Therefore our wish is, as we discussed with the vice-president, that the government reviews its approach, while we also conduct the research as to how to implement a structure which will benefit mothers and parents during school holiday periods,” Ms Larue noted.

While a number of NGOs provide holiday programmes, a significant proportion lack the funds to offer whole-day programmes or for the provision of basics such as snacks and lunches, she pointed out.

Nowadays a good number of holiday programmes are not free, and many parents cannot afford such care services for their children.

Ceps made a number of recommendations pertaining to children’s wellbeing to cabinet last year, some of which government has acted upon. Among the recommendations are for government to assist employers in supporting parents.

“We believe that with the CSF, NGOs, government and other partners, we can in the near future have a solution that will bear more fruits, or which is most beneficial to our children’s wellbeing. Our children are our future, and our tomorrow. If they are faced with so many challenges today, we do not see a bright future for our nation,” Ms Larue added.

A number of NGOs are working with children including the Survival Ark Foundation and the Light Amid My Path (LAMP) Association, the former one founded by Ms Larue herself.

The civil society platform is party to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with government, which allows for dialogue, and for the platform to have the voices of its 80 plus members heard, regarding pertinent issues and concerns.

Laura Pillay