THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security through the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), on Sunday, began observing Child Protection Week under the theme, “Protecting Children and Empowering Families to cope with the Global Pandemic.”

A statement from the ministry, explained that this year’s theme focuses on continued efforts to ensure that our children are kept safe and build the capacity of their families, thereby enabling them to reach their full potential during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the highlights for the week is the “Breaking the Silence on Child Sexual Abuse” virtual rally slated for Wednesday. The Minister of Human Services, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, will be delivering remarks at the event.

Additionally, there will be various activities for different groups of children until September 29, when the celebrations will end.
Guyana first observed Child Protection Week in 2004. It is an annual national project with the purpose of increasing common awareness and providing a better understanding of the importance of primary prevention needed to reduce child abuse and neglect in the country’s society, the ministry said.
It added that the project instills the core principle, that child protection is everyone’s business.