THE MINISTRY of Social Protection, through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) recently held a meeting with religious organisations in Guyana, aimed at finding ways in which both bodies can collaborate to effectively protect the rights of children.

Based on statistics from the CCPA there was an increase in reported cases of child abuse last year. This has been the trend for the past four years. In a release the ministry said the increase does not mean a spike in the instances of abuse, but represents the success of the agency’s multi-media campaign and continuous efforts to have more persons report cases of abuse to the Department, the ministry said in a statement.

To this end, the Ministry of Social Protection is of the belief that religious organisations are in a unique position to make an impact on situations of abuse because of their close relationship with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Subject Minister Amna Ally, told the religious leaders at the meeting that their organisations are indispensable partners in the government’s focus on reaching the most vulnerable in society. She further stated: “it is the moral influence of religion that can have a major impact on perspective, foster dialogue and set priorities for members of its community; many people in Guyana identify religious leaders as the group they trust the most.”

“It is you who are the skilled and influential communicators that can reach the hearts and minds of people in ways that other institutions cannot, it is you who have more access to the family and personal spheres than most outside actors. You serve as an important conduit of communication for social change and transformation of child protection mechanisms in Guyana,” the minister said, adding that the profound influence religion can have on children’s development and socialisation, offers the potential to reinforce protective influences and promote resilience.

Meanwhile, Deputy Representative of UNICEF, Mr. Paulo Marchi, said his organisation is extremely pleased to be a part of the initiative and looks forward to ways in which it can partner with the Government and Religious organisations to reduce the instances of violence against children. He indicated that violence against children plagues on many societies and deprives children of the possibility to develop in the best possible manner. Mr. Marchi, during his two years in Guyana, has come to appreciate the role of religion in Guyanese society and stressed on its importance in eliminating violence against children, the ministry’s release stated.

Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ms. Ann Greene, spoke on how the agency can collaborate with religious organisations. Ms. Greene also took the opportunity to report on child abuse cases for 2017. The report recorded the highest cases of child abuse being reported in Region 10 with 22.1%; it is followed by Region Three with 20.6% and Region Four with 17.6%.

Pastor Ronald McGarrel, National Director of the Family Federation and Chairman of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) said that the IRO has been working on various initiatives as it relates to the family and child protection and would like to actively participate in collaborative efforts with the CCPA.

Ms. Alima Nassir, Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission, said based on the statistics presented a collaborative effort is needed to tackle the issue, especially since the reported cases do not represent all of the instances of abuse, particularly in hinterland areas. Ms. Nassir, who is also the Head of the Women’s Arm of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), said the CIOG is willing to partner with the Government to arrest the issue of child abuse.

The CCPA is responsible for making timely interventions in matters concerning children; this includes any action that is deemed necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of children or prevent, reduce and alleviate the effects of the abuse and neglect of children by offering effective services as their rights entitle them to. The Agency remains committed to its mandate.