Nairobi, 13 November, 2019 / 12:56 am (ACI Africa).
At a recent interfaith meeting that brought together representative from various Christians denominations, Muslims and Hindus in Kenya under their umbrella body, the Inter- Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), a common child safeguarding policy document was officially launched, with the leaders adopting a collective manual toward enhancing the safety and protection of children.
“People look at us as the voice of the voiceless, and therefore as religious leaders we need to act and speak out to communities,” IRCK chairman Fr. Joseph Mutie told ACI Africa Monday, November 11, in a telephone interview and added, “Therefore as servants of God, we came up with a document to guide us in safeguarding our children on issues related to child abuse.”
“Child abuse is currently a concern in the society,” Fr. Mutie said and added, “Children are being abused in offices, in the vehicles, in schools, at homes and (in) so many places.”
Underlining that religious leaders are guardians whom people turn to for refuge, Fr. Mutie who is also the General Secretary of Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) said, “We are custodians, we are people’s security where they can run to, it was therefore pertinent for us to have come up with a guide to help us.”
According to the IRCK child safeguarding policy document availed to ACI Africa, the religious body has outlined four principles to guide their operations.
