MVP

Tag: campaign

  • Child abused — Child abused: One Child a Day Reported as Sexually Abused in Cyprus, Sparks #20ForYou Campaign

    Child abused — Child abused: One Child a Day Reported as Sexually Abused in Cyprus, Sparks #20ForYou Campaign

    child abused — child abused — In Cyprus, one child a day is reported as sexually abused, highlighting a pressing issue with 483 cases documented in 2024 alone, according to the child commissioner’s office.

    Child abused: Alarming Statistics Reflect Reality

    The staggering figure translates to one new case every 20 hours, revealing the urgent need for action. These numbers only represent children who have found the courage to speak up, indicating that the true extent of the problem may be even greater.

    #20ForYou Campaign Launches for Awareness

    To coincide with the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the child commissioner’s office announced the launch of the #20ForYou campaign. This initiative aims to cultivate awareness and mobilise the public to break the silence surrounding the sexual abuse of children.

    Empowering Children’s Voices

    Central to the campaign is the commitment to give children a louder voice. The initiative seeks to promote a society that acknowledges, addresses, and speaks out about abuse. By encouraging dialogue, the campaign hopes to foster an environment where children feel safe to share their experiences.

    Five Key Demands for Change

    The #20ForYou campaign calls on individuals and organisations to support five specific demands:

    • Specialised psychological and social support for victims.
    • Enhanced education on the subject in schools.
    • Placement of psychologists in all schools.
    • Recognition of early warning signs of abuse.
    • Immediate removal of online child abuse material.

    A Call for Public Participation

    As part of the campaign, all adults are encouraged to dedicate 20 minutes from 10am to 10.20am, translating into one minute for every hour that passes until another child is abused. During this time, participants are invited to photograph their teams with the #20ForYou hashtag and share it on social media, amplifying the message.

    Interactive Engagement with Children

    Actions planned across Cyprus include children writing messages about what would make them feel safer on post-its. These notes will be displayed on a board titled ‘The wall has a voice’. Schools are expected to post images of their ‘walls’ on social media, further driving home the campaign’s message.

    Promoting Safety and Support

    The underlying message of the campaign is clear: “No child should grow up in fear, no child should remain unaided, no child should stay silent.” By focusing on support and education, the #20ForYou campaign aims to create a safer environment for all children in Cyprus.

    Collaborative Efforts for Long-Term Change

    In addition to raising awareness, the campaign seeks to engage various stakeholders, including schools, community organisations, and policymakers, to create lasting change. By working together, the hope is to establish a robust support system for victims and a preventative framework to protect children from future abuse.

    Moving Forward Together

    The #20ForYou campaign is not just about raising awareness; it is a call to action for everyone in the community to take part in safeguarding children. Each effort, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement aimed at ending the silence around child sexual abuse.

  • Larnaca Launches Door-to-Door Campaign to Tackle Mosquito Surge

    Larnaca Launches Door-to-Door Campaign to Tackle Mosquito Surge

    mosquito surge — Larnaca municipality is actively addressing a surge in mosquito complaints through a door-to-door campaign in the Salt Lake area, where health officials have raised alarms about the presence of disease-carrying species in Cyprus.

    Mosquito surge: Municipal Efforts to Combat Mosquitoes

    The municipality’s Health Department is implementing a rigorous plan that includes spraying standing water, storm drains, and urban rivers every 10-12 days. This effort utilises biological insecticides that have been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.

    Home Visits to Identify Breeding Sites

    Health teams from both municipal and provincial levels are visiting homes to help identify potential mosquito breeding sites and to educate residents about preventive measures. The department has noted that while standing water around the Salt Lake serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, spraying within the protected area itself is prohibited, with operations confined to the perimeter.

    Monitoring and Trapping

    To further combat the mosquito surge, the municipality has placed traps throughout the area. The Ministry of Health conducts regular checks to assess whether the mosquitoes pose a public health threat, testing samples to determine if disease-carrying species are present.

    In addition to common mosquitoes, residents report bites from sandflies, referred to as “silent mosquitoes,” along with other insects that thrive in trees, hedges, and decaying leaves.

    Identifying Home Breeding Sites

    The municipal Health Department spokesperson has indicated that the mosquito problem is exacerbated by two primary sources. Mosquitoes can breed inside homes, where authorities have identified common breeding sites including:

    • Plant pots
    • Exposed water containers
    • Old tyres
    • Small fountains

    “The campaign is year-round and covers the municipal districts under our jurisdiction, namely Livadia and Voroklini,” the spokesperson explained.

    Targeting Aedes Aegypti Species

    Health Ministry teams are conducting a focused door-to-door campaign aimed at the Aedes aegypti mosquito, educating the public on effective control measures. This species is particularly concerning due to its ability to transmit various infectious diseases.

    High-Risk Locations for Mosquito Breeding

    Municipal officials have pinpointed several locations that require special attention due to their potential for mosquito breeding:

    • Disused swimming pools
    • Old septic tanks not properly sealed
    • Construction site excavations
    • Old tyres and water storage barrels
    • Blocked storm drain grilles
    • Cemetery flower vases

    Disused swimming pools pose a major concern, while improperly sealed septic tanks create additional breeding grounds. Construction sites, too, can inadvertently contribute to the problem, especially if excavations collect water.

    Managing Tyre Risks

    Old tyres are particularly problematic, especially at outdoor tyre repair shops or garages. Authorities emphasise the importance of regularly removing tyres by licensed companies. If tyres are to remain on site for extended periods, they must be stored in covered areas to prevent rainwater accumulation.

    Flower Vases in Cemeteries

    Officials have also highlighted that cemetery flower vases can become breeding sites if water remains stagnant for long periods. Residents are advised to change the water in these vases every seven days to mitigate the risk.

    Health Risks Associated with Mosquitoes

    The mosquito species now identified in Cyprus are not just a nuisance; they can transmit serious infectious diseases to humans. These include:

    • Yellow Fever virus
    • Dengue Fever
    • Zika virus
    • West Nile virus

    As the mosquito situation escalates, public health officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing mosquito breeding in and around their homes.

    Community Engagement and Support

    The municipality’s door-to-door campaign aims not only to inform residents but also to foster community engagement in combating the mosquito problem. Public cooperation is crucial in identifying and eliminating potential breeding sites.

    Officials encourage residents to report any issues they encounter, whether it be stagnant water or potential breeding grounds, to the municipality’s Health Department, ensuring a collective effort in managing this pressing public health concern.