The 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union continues its work. MP Alexandra Attalidou participated today in a debate at the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights on "The role of parliaments in tackling child trafficking in orphanages".
Ms Attalidou described as a very worrying phenomenon the exploitation of children of poor families in orphanages by circuits aimed at attracting donors, which, she stressed, is a multidimensional international problem.
Referring to the crucial role that national parliaments can play in tackling child trafficking in orphanages, Ms Attalidou highlighted the importance of adopting and implementing legislation to prevent and combat the phenomenon and, at the same time, promoting national policies that combat poverty and preserve the family fabric. Equally important, she stressed, is the coordination of actions between parliaments and relevant governmental bodies in terms of designing programmes to reintegrate these children into their families, based on a healthier framework than institutionalisation.
The Cypriot MP also underlined the imperative need for cooperation between national parliaments, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations and civil society in order to approach this serious challenge holistically. In this regard, he stressed the importance of including child trafficking in orphanages in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child in order to recognize it as another form of child trafficking.
Ms Attalidou also participated in a session of the Organization's Women Parliamentarians Forum, discussing "Parliamentary leadership in crisis response: gender equality at the heart of water security , climate change resilience and peacekeeping". Ms Attalidou pointed out that despite the general acceptance that crises are never gender-neutral, yet gender mainstreaming is not yet included in national policies for climate change mitigation, peacebuilding and peacebuilding and water resources management and stressed the need for increased participation and contribution of women in policymaking in these areas. Finally, Ms. Attalidou stressed that measures taken to prevent, mitigate and address the impacts of water insecurity, climate change and conflict must be gender-responsive and promote the empowerment and rights of women and girls.
(Text as sent from the House of Representatives)
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