DIRECTOR of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA), Ms. Ann Greene has announced that this year’s ‘Child Protection Week’ will be themed ‘Joining hands for effective child protection services.’

It is in keeping with the joint campaign, by the CC&PA and the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, to rid themselves of the concept that they, alone, are responsible for child protection.
“We want to get rid of the notion that the Child Care Agency and the Ministry are solely responsible for the protection of children,” Greene told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, pointing out that it is shared responsibility between the official bodies and society.
Child Protection Week will commence on September 22 and everyone should contribute. “It is a shared responsibility with community members, families and professionals,” she added, stating that the CC&PA hopes to have more contributions from the Private Sector and increased advocacy for the cause.
Greene said there is a gap, between the child protection system and civilians, that must be broken and there should be a higher level of child abuse awareness.
The calendar for the week-long programme is yet to be released but children under the care of the CC&PA are practising for a rally against child abuse and a closing ceremony.
A concert at the Botanical Gardens is another aspect, Greene revealed, as she urged all Guyanese to partake in the activities and break the silence on child abuse, especially sexual.
Child Protection Week is being observed in some 120 countries globally, as people continue to lobby for a child friendly environment, where every one is free from abuse.