FOLLOWING a series of activities across Guyana in observance of Child Protection Week, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) closed off the observance with their annual Family Fun day and Concert.The week’s activities wrapped up at the Botanical Gardens where scores of persons, most of them children from different homes and orphanages, made full use of the games and entertainment available. Patrons were treated to performances ranging from dances to dramatic pieces and songs.
Child Protection Week was from September 18th to 24th under the theme, “Children’s Safety and Security Our Priority” to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of preventing and reducing child abuse and neglect in our society.
Speaking with the media at the event, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, explained that her ministry has been working rigorously since last September to reintegrate children in state care back with their relatives or place them in foster homes.
Minister Lawrence further pointed out that foster care is now growing in Guyana since more persons are more aware of the service.
One of the week’s main activities was the “Breaking the Silence on Child Sexual Abuse Rally” which was held at Wismar, Linden
Child Protection Week is observed in over 120 countries around the world, but at different times of the year under various themes. Child Protection Week has been observed in Guyana since 2004.