WITH the countdown underway to Child Protection Week 2013 which commences on September 22, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security is reminding all parents, guardians and caregivers of their roles and responsibilities in ensuring that this right is attainable by every child in Guyana, regardless of status or where that child lives.

In a media release yesterday, the ministry asserted that it is every child’s right to be loved, accepted, supported, and nurtured, adding that “we seek your partnership to embrace the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
The release said further that “for this reason, we have chosen, “Joining Hands for Effective Child Protection Services,” as the theme for Child Protection Week 22-28 September, 2013 as keeping our children safe is not only the business of the Child Care and Protection Agency, but it’s everyone’s business.”
In that light, the CCPA stated that “we must remove this notion of any one individual, organisation or public agency being held responsible for keeping our children safe. Keeping children safe will require greater involvement, cooperation and care from parents, extended families, community members, non-governmental organisations, governmental organisations, schools and health care providers, among others. In fact, every segment of society must be on board.”
The Child Protection Agency of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security is the State apparatus that has implemented a number of laws, policies, programmes and initiatives for the protection of children, but there is a major gap in the system.
“There is need for greater involvement at the community level for care and protection of our children. To bridge this gap, the CPA is working assiduously to engage communities and establish essential civil society partnerships to better serve our children and families, hence the theme for Child Protection Week 2013 – “Joining Hands for Effective Child Protection Services. Our children can only be safe if families, communities and professionals work together,” the release highlighted.

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
During Child Protection Week 2013, there will be activities throughout the administrative regions to remind individuals, community members, and local groups including religious communities of the civil and moral responsibility to be part of the solution for children in need of protection. Child Protection Officers in their outreach sessions will be providing information on what everyone can do to help keep our children safe.
There are several outreach activities planned to observe Child Protection Week 2013, among which is a road march and rally on “breaking the silence on childhood sexual abuse.” And in this regard, “an invitation is extended to everyone to join us and take a stand against the abuse of our children. We urge that persons stand-up, speak out and be part of the solution. Silence is not the answer.”
Child Protection Week was first commemorated by the Ministry of Labour, Human Service and Social Security in 2004, with this week being dedicated to raising the level of awareness on issues affecting children in our society. The CC&PA also “urges the media to continue to partner with us on these issues, incidants, and possible alternative solutions in a responsible way.”