IN observance of Child Protection Week 2024, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) held its annual awareness rally at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus in Berbice. The event aimed to educate students, teachers, and parents about the government’s child protection initiatives and promote active involvement in ensuring the safety of children.

In a video produced by the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, stressed the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in handling cases of child abuse. “We cannot, we must not, we can never allow any child’s case to slip through the cracks, irrespective of how many cases we have,” she said, emphasising the need for thorough follow-up to guarantee the safety of every child.

As of August 2024, the Child Protection Agency (CPA) has addressed approximately 2,753 cases of child abuse across Guyana. The CPA continues to play a critical role in upholding children’s rights and safeguarding their welfare.
In line with the week’s theme, “Keeping Every Child Safe; Committing to Robust Child Protection,” the Ministry also hosted a stakeholder workshop, focusing on referral pathways, responsible reporting, Guyana’s child protection laws, and the Child Protection Act. The event encouraged community involvement in the collective responsibility of child safety.

The rally at the Tain Campus catered to around 500 children. Ministry staff engaged students on various ways to stay safe and educated teachers and parents on how they can contribute to child protection. The CPA, established in 2010 under the Child Care and Protection Agency Act, remains the central body responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of children in Guyana.

Individuals can contact the CPA for assistance at 227-7542, via email at childcaregy@gmail.com, or through its Facebook page: Childcare and Protection Agency Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.