The Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, has voiced serious concerns over the alarming increase in cases of young children either being found deceased or reported missing across the nation. She has called upon families and communities to take enhanced responsibility for ensuring child safety.
Kiran highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are deeply concerned at the number of young children being found dead or reported missing around the country.” She emphasized that many of these unfortunate incidents could be avoided with better communication and supervision from families, particularly during school holidays when children are more vulnerable.
In today’s age of mobile communication, Kiran urged parents and guardians to prioritize tracking their children’s whereabouts at all times. “There is no excuse for not knowing where our children are,” she asserted, arguing that families should maintain constant communication and refrain from assuming a missing child is safe with relatives without verification.
The Ministry has noted a troubling trend throughout the year, with street children being returned to their families without any missing persons reports being filed. Kiran expressed her concern by saying, “These children were exposed to serious risks, yet no alarms were raised,” which she interpreted as a sign of a breakdown in familial communication.
The Minister acknowledged that the rise in drug-related issues within communities has contributed to a growing sense of insecurity, underscoring the essential role of vigilance from parents, elders, and neighbors.
To foster a more secure environment, Kiran urged families to establish clear guidelines, including sharing travel plans and expected arrival times, and ensuring immediate communication if those plans change. “The holiday period should be a time of rest, joy, and family connection — not one marked by avoidable harm,” she remarked.
She also encouraged family elders to keep open lines of communication with children, regularly check on their emotional and physical wellbeing, and actively prevent them from being left unsupervised in unsafe situations. For children feeling unsafe, distressed, or in need of support, the Minister reminded them of the Ministry’s 24-hour toll-free Child Helpline, available at 1325.
This proactive approach from both parents and communities is essential in creating a safer environment for children, allowing them to enjoy their childhood while ensuring their wellbeing and safety.
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