Child protection training at Mary Mazzarello strengthens safeguarding and reinforces commitment to safe spaces for vulnerable people.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Honiara has reinforced its commitment to creating safe environments for vulnerable girls, young mothers and children through a Child Protection and Safeguarding Workshop held at the Mary Mazzarello Development Center in Henderson.
The half-day training, held on 29 August 2026, brought together teachers, staff and FMA Religious Sisters to examine how safeguarding can be strengthened both within the Centre and when protection concerns arise outside it.
Facilitator Leotina Akwai, Child Protection Coordinator and Communications Officer for the Archdiocese of Honiara, said safeguarding requires more than simply responding to incidents after they occur.
The training encouraged participants to identify risks early, understand their responsibilities and know when and where to seek professional assistance.
“Safeguarding is not only about responding when something happens. It is about being prepared, recognizing risks early and knowing the right steps to take to protect someone who may be vulnerable,” Akwai said.
An important discussion during the workshop focused on how staff should respond when an outside person enters the Centre or when a girl or woman arrives seeking help because she is experiencing danger or violence.
Participants were encouraged to avoid unnecessarily confronting potentially dangerous situations and instead prioritize safety while following appropriate reporting and referral pathways.
The FMA Sisters said the Centre has long been regarded as a safe environment for the girls and women who attend, stressing the importance of maintaining that trust.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that every person who comes to Mary Mazzarello is treated with dignity, respect, compassion and care, and that concerns are acted on appropriately,” an FMA Sister said.
The workshop also connected safeguarding with the Catholic Church’s broader mission of protecting human dignity and supporting people who are vulnerable.
Participants concluded the training with a renewed commitment to strengthening safeguarding practices and ensuring the Mary Mazzarello Development Center remains a safe, welcoming and supportive place for girls, women, young mothers and children.
SOURCE// Catholic Communication Solomon
