–childcare agency launched
President Bharrat Jagdeo says his administration will get tough on prosecuting child abusers, persons accused of trafficking in persons and also domestic violence, declaring yesterday that he has called on law enforcement officials to “pay greater attention to these issues”.
The efforts of the administration to effect change in the areas of child protection and domestic violence among others account for very little, according to the President unless law enforcement is stepped up. But Jagdeo underscored that government cannot do it alone.
Speaking at the official launch of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Childcare and Protection Agency at the Pegasus Hotel yesterday, he said the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the faith-based groups in the country need to be more attuned with what is happening in communities and villages as it relates to women and children.
He specifically addressed the issue of trafficking in persons (TIP) saying that organisations operating in communities should have an idea of what is going on.
“…Either the cases are not there or we are failing somehow, and if so, we need to look into this,” Jagdeo stated while pointing out that the US government continues to link Guyana to TIP cases.
However, Jagdeo charged that tough actions under the law would apply should the administration find anyone accused of TIP. It was while commenting on this issue that he spoke of tougher action being taken as it relates to child abusers and those accused of domestic violence.
Jagdeo gave a commitment at the function yesterday to provide a separate building for the Childcare Protection Agency, and he also firmly stated that government intends to pump more resources into childcare services this year. He asserted that the administration will not let a lack of funds deter it from its obligation to the nation’s youths.
The President also mentioned the string of legislation covering childcare services that went to the National Assembly this year saying that he hopes the public is paying attention.
He said that the legislation is vital, adding that people need to start discussing the bills that are before the parliament so as to better understand their rights.
Further, he commented on the need for more persons to step forward and be part of the national foster care programme since according to him the current number of applications which totals around forty is not enough.
Critics have contended that the President’s declarations on domestic abuse ring hollow as he himself has been accused of “high-tech” abuse by his former wife, Varshnie Singh. The President has on several occasions declined to address this matter.
Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand noted in her address that the Childcare and Protection Agency has been a force since its initiation. She said that childcare in Guyana has taken on a whole new meaning over the last few years because the ministry has a strategy towards improved care which it is currently implementing.
Manickchand spoke of the work conducted in childcare over the years and pointed to the guidelines that have been identified for persons operating orphanages and homes, and also about the facility currently being built to house juvenile offenders from remand prisoners. She said too that a Juvenile Offenders Justice bill is being drafted.
The minister said that part of the ministry’s strategy includes integrating a foster care programme into the system and also on making the process of adoptions for persons here and abroad smoother. She disclosed that forty applications for foster care parents are currently before the court and are to be finalized.
There are still challenges, Manickchand said, but she noted that the ministry is working hard particularly through the agency that has been set up.
