THE Administration, since its tenure in office, has placed a lot of emphasis on the protection and well-being of its most vulnerable section of society – children – by creating a protective environment for them.
And with the establishment of the Child Care and Protection Agency, society has seen a boost in the way children are treated as efforts intensify to help prevent and respond to violence, abuse and exploitation among children.
It is against this backdrop, that the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security’s Child Care and Protection Agency, in a collaborative effort with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) hosted a public awareness event on Wednesday on child protection that targeted fathers.
The initiative, held under the theme ‘Positive parenting, saving tomorrow, today’ –  is part of activities in observance of Child Protection Week, which ends tomorrow.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, who attended the activity that was held at the route 42 minibus park, said the focus will be on the contribution that fathers can make towards the critical aspect of protection of Guyana’s children.
While encouraging the fathers present to do their best and to continue the good works, she said society needs to collaborate with Government in the fight since one entity alone cannot do justice.
“Every day across Guyana we are looking after Guyana’s children, and that has seen several legislation being passed in the National Assembly to deal with the way children are treated in society, and what is expected from Government and society as a whole,” she said.
The child right legislation that were passed in the National Assembly include:  Protection of Children Bill, Status of the Children Bill,  Adoption of the Children Bill, and Child Care and Protection Agency Bill.
The Child Development Bill, and Juvenile Justice and Education Bill, are at a special select Committee, under review.
At Wednesday’s event, Minister Manickchand called on parents, teachers, policemen and women to partner with the Ministry to protect children who are oftentimes victims of abuse, noting that the goal is for men to continue to be good fathers, since they are role models too.
“We would be wasting time if we sat down in our offices and believe the laws are going to work by themselves and so we need you, the people, to help in this regard.”
UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist, Doris Roos, said while some men are associated with the wrong things in society, there are some who portray positives, and as such, they should be recognised for their contributions.
“We can make a difference in the lives of our children and as such we need to make the impact now if we want to make a difference, in their lives,” she posited.
The successful hosting of the activity saw scores of fathers and passers-by in attendance, to get an opportunity to play their part. Questions and clarifications were also made as fathers interacted with the Human Services Minister after the formal ceremony.
The Childcare and Protection Agency Bill was passed on January 8, 2009, providing for the establishment of a Childcare and Protection Agency and for other matters related to the care and protection of children.
It empowers the Agency to implement the policies and decisions in relation to the laws governing children, the monitoring of childcare facilities, to intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected and to protect vulnerable children.

Director of Children Services, Ann Greene; Coordinator of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) Shirley Ferguson; Deputy Chief Probation and Social Services Officer, Forbes Munroe and Child Protection Officer, Kelvin Alleyne were also in attendance. (GINA)