IN observance of Child Protection Week 2025, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, on Thursday, led an engaging awareness session with students of Fort Wellington Secondary School, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), focusing on the theme “Every Child Safe.”

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Persaud reminded students that one of the most fundamental human rights is the right to safety. For children, she explained, this means being protected and cared for in environments free from violence and abuse.

“Children have issues that they deal with every day, and notable among them are the things you identified—peer pressure, violence, bullying,” the Minister said, stressing that these challenges can leave long-lasting physical and emotional scars.

She pointed out that bullying is often learned behaviour, noting one student’s response that children exposed to violence at home may be more likely to repeat those actions with others. “Whenever there is abuse and violence at home, people or children see that, and then they are more likely to do things like that. Engage in violent behaviour, engage in bullying, and engage in abuse,” Dr. Persaud explained.

The Minister cautioned that while violence may happen around them, young people should not allow it to shape who they become. “There is no need for you to become violent and abusive people,” she urged, adding that kindness and awareness are essential in tackling bullying.

Speaking directly to victims, Dr. Persaud encouraged students to speak out, stressing that reporting bullying does not make them “a snitch” but is instead an act of self-protection. She urged teachers to take every report seriously and revealed that the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) was working to compile a national database of bullying and violence reports in schools.

The Ministry will also roll out new tools to encourage reporting, including a QR Code system accessible via Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. Students were reminded of the 24-hour toll-free hotline 914, which allows them to report any form of violence or abuse directly. “Once reports are made, it will go to the CPA, and the school’s welfare and guidance counsellor, for action to be taken,” Dr. Persaud assured.

Beyond the anti-bullying initiatives, Dr. Persaud also highlighted opportunities for self-development through the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), the M-Power Programme, and the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which offer free training to men and women nationwide.

The Minister’s outreach formed part of a broader Child Protection Week agenda aimed at ensuring children across Guyana are empowered, protected, and supported in safe learning environments.