Hundreds of protesters in Taipei call for better child protection – Focus Taiwan
Hundreds of protesters in Taipei call for better child protection Focus Taiwan
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Protesters Rally in Taipei for Better Protection of Children’s Rights
Taipei, April 27 (CNA) – More than 1,000 protesters took part in a rally in Taipei on Saturday, calling for better systemic protection of children’s rights, following the death late last year of a 1-year-old boy, who allegedly was subjected to physical abuse while in foster care.
Rally for Children’s Rights
Chanting slogans such as “Actively protect children” and “Reform the system,” the protesters gathered on Ketagalan Boulevard for the rally organized by Taiwan Children’s Rights Association (TCRA).
According to the association, there were about 1,100 people at the rally, most of them parents and their children. Many of them turned out after learning about the tragic death of 1-year-old “Kai Kai” (剴剴) last December as a result of alleged abuse by his foster carer while the child was awaiting adoption.
Voices for Justice
One of the protesters, Cairan Sutherland, was there with her husband and two sons, holding a placard that read “Justice For Kai Kai.”
“On Christmas Eve last year, we were celebrating with a meal, and Kai Kai was dying,” she said, speaking in English. “And that is so sad, and it should never have happened.”
“There were many things that failed, that did not save Kai Kai,” said Sutherland, a South African who has been living in Taiwan for 17 years and is currently working as a teacher.
She said that members of the public can play a more important role by looking out for children who may have been abused.
“The public should be the eyes and the ears and the mouths for children, especially children that cannot speak,” Sutherland said.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Natalie Wu (吳佳恩), who was at the rally with her father, said she found it bewildering that child abuse was allowed to occur in Taiwan, and that was why she wanted to join the protest.
When asked if she had any messages for her peers, the junior high student told CNA that if they are being abused or they see others being abused, it would be best to speak up and tell someone they know.
“To adults, I just want to say, please protest against child abuse, to stop the abuse of more children,” Wu added.
Proposals for Systemic Reforms
TCRA made four major proposals at the rally, all of which would “require some changes in the overall system,” according to the association’s founding chairwoman Angela Wang (王薇君).
The system to protect children from abuse is inadequate in many areas such as child welfare, parental support, and the social security network for children, she said, urging people to advocate for systemic reforms at the governmental level.
“All efforts should be focused on preventing injury and death of children, rather than waiting until a child dies to talk about severe penalty [for the perpetrator],” Wang said.
On April 18, Kai Kai’s foster carer and her younger sister were charged with multiple criminal offenses related to child abuse, according to the Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of child abuse and neglect per 100,000 population, by sex and age group |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration | Indicator 16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age | Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 16 as they focus on the need for better systemic protection of children’s rights and the prevention of child abuse. SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article also indirectly addresses SDG 3 as it mentions the tragic death of a 1-year-old boy due to alleged abuse while in foster care. SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
The article highlights the need for better systemic protection of children’s rights and the prevention of child abuse, which aligns with Target 16.2 under SDG 16.
Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
The article mentions the tragic death of a 1-year-old boy and emphasizes the importance of systemic reforms in child welfare and parental support. Ensuring birth registration and legal identity for all children is crucial in protecting their rights and preventing abuse.
Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age
The article indirectly addresses the need to prevent child deaths by highlighting the tragic death of a 1-year-old boy due to alleged abuse while in foster care. This aligns with Target 3.2 under SDG 3.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of child abuse and neglect per 100,000 population, by sex and age group
The article mentions the death of a 1-year-old boy due to alleged abuse, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 16.2 under SDG 16.
Indicator 16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age
The article emphasizes the need for systemic reforms in child welfare and parental support, which indirectly relates to the importance of birth registration and legal identity for all children. Indicator 16.9.1 can be used to measure progress towards Target 16.9 under SDG 16.
Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate
The article mentions the tragic death of a 1-year-old boy due to alleged abuse while in foster care, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 3.2 under SDG 3.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of child abuse and neglect per 100,000 population, by sex and age group |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration | Indicator 16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age | Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate |
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Fuente: focustaiwan.tw
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