Children aged six and under are at a critical stage of development and must be protected by their families and communities, according to National Commission for Children’s Rights (KNDL) head Maria Barreto.
Families are the first and most important unit in promoting the development of children, she said.
“This is the golden age for development,” she said.
“If we do not use care, children’s physical, linguistic and mental development will be delayed.”
The commissioner called for all parties to help protect children from sexual abuse, abandonment and discrimination.
“Violence harms children’s development,” she said.
Child Fund Timor-Leste national director Geoffrey Ezepuc promised to work with government institutions and local child protection organizations to ensure the secure development of children.
“Those children who are not treated with care will have poor intellectual and mental outcomes compared to those who do receive attention,” he said.
