27 July 2011
Focus on Vulnerable Children Overdue but Welcome
“We are really pleased to see that the Government is finally engaging with New Zealanders to find solutions for
improving the quality of life of our most vulnerable members of society – our children,” National Council of Women NZ
(NCWNZ) President Elizabeth Bang said today.
NCWNZ is a long established not for profit organisation whose objective is to improve the status, quality of life and
well-being of women, their families and the community.
Elizabeth Bang was commenting on the release today of the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children, which forms the basis of
discussion and debate about improving opportunities and outcomes for at risk children.
“This is a discussion which is long overdue. The statistics make grim reading. Four children every day being admitted to
hospital due to assault, neglect or maltreatment is a sorry state of affairs and not something that New Zealand, as a
developed nation with an historically strong social conscience can be proud of,” she said.
Elizabeth Bang said that the Green Paper was a welcome document for bringing these statistics to light, and for raising
some very important issues affecting our families, our society and ultimately, our economy.
“Keeping women and their families safe is a key focus area for NCWNZ. The Green Paper asks New Zealanders to think about
some hard and quite challenging questions, and we will certainly be contributing to this debate,” Elizabeth Band
concluded.
ENDS