By Naomi Marshall

IN an attempt to bring about awareness to the ongoing issue of Child Abuse, the Childcare and Protection Agency (C&PA), Kwakwani branch, held a grand “Break the Silence Rally” in observance of Child Protection Week 2018.

The rally was held in Kwakwani on Thursday under the theme, “Supporting families to prevent child abuse through education and community involvement.”

The event, which commenced at the Kwakwani Arch and ended at the Worrels ground, saw the participation of students from the community’s daycare centre, Kwakwani Primary and Secondary Schools, the Kwakwani Neighbourhood Democratic Council Probation Department, Kwakwani Hospital, Kwakwani Utility Inc., amongst others.

The Senior Childcare and Protection Officer attached to Kwakwani, Cameal Jeffery, said the Childcare and Protection Agency is taking a stand towards ending child abuse.
She noted that it is time the residents of Kwakwani “speak up and speak out,” against child abuse. Community members were also encouraged to work together to make Kwakwani a “safe zone” for children.

A parade was also held in Linden last week, as they joined the rest of Guyana in the observation of Child protection Week 2018.

Regional Chairman of Region 10, Rennis Morian, in his remarks, urged fathers to get involved in their children’s lives. “I want to appeal to brothers in this community, our children need us, they need their fathers, I am sending out a call to our fathers, let us again stand with our children,” he urged.

In March 2018, Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene, disclosed that Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has recorded the highest cases of child abuse, with some 22.1 per cent in 2017. It is followed by Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) with 20.6 per cent and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) with 17.6 per cent.