DILI, 21 june 2021 (TATOLI ) – The Ministry of Social, Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), together with humanitarian partner UNICEF, today launches a child protection online platform www.Childprotection.mss.gov.tl.
The child protection online platform was the first web page to be launched in Timor-Leste, aimed to help all entities, including parents to protect children during the Covid-19 time in Timor-Leste.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the online platform, Scott Whoolery, the Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Timor-Leste said that the online platform was to increase the capacities of child protection networks to address needs and emergencies.
“In emergencies, which we have experienced during the COVID-19 as well as recent historic floods in Dili and other municipalities, really demonstrated the increased need for a strong child protection system,” Whoolery made the comments during the launching ceremony of the child protection online platform at Kofi Anan hall of UNICEF in Dili, today.
He said the online platform would strengthen the capacities, provide guidance, resources and materials, and the ability to communicate and coordinate. So that the response is strong and fix the increased needs for children.
“This platform had a range of information, which is easily accessible, including materials about case management, videos and we will continue to add content. Some of these materials include the availability for child protection practitioners to access free webinars as well as courses related to child protection and COVID-19 prevention” said Whoolery.
He said importantly the platform also provides information available to the general public about good parenting, good childcare practices, and other information which is the public can access related to both emergencies as well as child protection.
At the same place, the Director-General of MSSI, Florencio Pina Dias Gonzaga said that the child protection online platform had been developed since 2020: “Today we are gathered here to launch this child protection online platform to protect the vulnerable children in Timor-Leste.”
“On behalf of MSSI and the Government of Timor-Leste, I would like to thank the Government of Australia and DFAT for their continued support. This online platform was crucial to assist the work of Timor-Leste’s government, and other related entities to protect children in Timor-Leste,” said Gonzaga.
Gonzaga called all government officials, who are currently working on child protection, to access the online platform to learn new materials on child protection available on the online platform.
“There will be free training on webinars as well for all the MSSI’s staff members who are working on child protection,” said Gonzaga.
Whoolery said about US$ 10.000 of the US$300.000 given by DFAT to UNICEF for Covid-19 response was spent on the development of the child protection online platform.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
