LUKAUTIM PIKININI ACT - PASSED IN PARLIAMENT

Hon. Delilah Gore, MP

The Lukautim Pikinini Act Bill was passed in parliament last Friday 05^th of June 2015 by the Minister for Community Development, Religion & Youth, Hon. Delilah Gore with the aim to safeguard and protect the rights of the children and hold parents responsible for negligence of their parental duties and responsibilities as many young children have been forced to live off the streets in major towns and cities.

The Act was drafted to protect and safeguard the rights of a child to be sheltered, educated and nurtured. 

Many of the social issues surrounding a child are caused by broken families resulting in children falling victims and ending up in the streets and then start panhandling, begging, stealing etc. They are venerable to exploitation and abuses while engaged in such activities.

Child pornography is escalating in an alarming rate around the world as mankind’s greed and lust has blinded them and created vacuums for sick minded men and women to prey on little children for their sexual gratifications and other forced labor activities most of which are illegal. 

Pedophiles prey on their weakness and abuse them after enticing them with goodies and other luxuries and bestowing them affection and trust.

PNG is slowly getting reports of such disturbing news and thankfully the current government came in at a timely manner to address such a vital issue.

The Lukautim Pikinini Act will also involve the creation of provincial child and family service committee who will help in protecting the welfare of children in the country. 

The Act will also monitor and verify non-government organization involved in caring for the disadvantage children so has to cut down on mushroom orphanages and care centers popping up where their motives of caring for child is at minimal.

“Every child needs protection and the child and family service committee 

will identify genuine children who will be called ‘Child of State’ if the child is 

really parent-less.” said Minister Gore.

There will also be policies within the Act to look at child who are now currently begging on the streets and traffic lights. Many children were forced to live on the streets and that has been a major concern and the Act will have the parents responsible and accountable for their actions.