Gov't engages public on regulations to establish Child Welfare Fund

The forum brought together a diverse mix of stakeholders, including community members, children, and representatives from various sectors, all convened to deliberate on how the proposed Fund can be structured to protect vulnerable children better and improve their overall welfare nationwide.

One of the defining features of the engagement was the active participation of children themselves alongside adults, a move that underscored the government's commitment to inclusive and participatory policymaking. Officials noted that centering the voices of children in discussions that directly affect their lives is not only appropriate but essential in crafting laws and programmes that genuinely respond to their needs.

Participants used the platform to share personal views, lived experiences, and expectations on how the Child Welfare Fund should operate once established, with contributions cutting across child protection, community support systems, and sustainable funding mechanisms.

The State Department for Children Services, which organised the forum in collaboration with the National Treasury and Economic Planning, reaffirmed its dedication to building robust child protection systems across the country.

Officials emphasised that the Child Welfare Fund is envisioned as a long-term, sustainable mechanism to support the most vulnerable children and advance their rights and wellbeing at the national level.