𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗘𝗠𝗔 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗚𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻

When a child is in distress, help should never be too far away.

Inspired by the vision of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen to build a responsive system of child protection, the Gewog Protection Services brings child protection closer to the communities where support is needed most.

In collaboration with the rcscbhutan, the PEMA Secretariat is strengthening the role of our frontline service providers by equipping Gewog Administration Officers (GAOs) with additional responsibilities in child protection. The first cohort of GAOs from Paro, Chukha, Haa, and Samtse has completed induction training.

With their deep understanding of local communities, GAOs together with local governemnt leaders will help identify and assess child protection concerns at the gewog level, supported by the technical guidance and supervision of PEMA’s Protection Officers.

By bringing services closer to our people, strengthening local capacity, and sharing responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of every child, we move towards a system where no child is overlooked, no family is left to struggle alone, and every vulnerable life is met with care, dignity, and hope.

This approach will enable concerns to be recognised earlier, appropriate support to be mobilised sooner, and children and families to receive assistance closer to home.

Four additional training cohorts are planned for October and November, with the aim of extending this service across all 205 gewogs in Bhutan.