UNICEF estimates that some 300 million children around the world are subjected to violence, exploitation and abuse; all forms of abuse. Millions more, the United Nations Children’s Organisation says, not providing absolute quantities, are vulnerable to joining them as they exist in situations where protection is inadequate or non-existent.
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Child Care and Protection Agency has established a children’s home in the city. Since it opened a few years ago, it has rescued some of Guyana’s quota of the 300 million. The agency has some 60 children in its care at present and has saved many more, some of whom have since been reunited with their parents or placed in the care of relatives.
As Guyana observes Child Protection Week, this newspaper has been publishing daily, a series of interviews with children who live in the home having been rescued from extremely dire circumstances. These children, who have been in state care for periods between three and two years each, are now at a level where they can speak frankly albeit still painfully about the abuse they have suffered.
They spoke of being neglected and hungry, running away from abuse at home, begging on the streets to survive, being forced to beg by their drug and alcohol-addicted parents and being abused while doing so and granting sexual favours to adults in return for money to help support their parents and siblings.
They also spoke of being counselled and cared for and some are gradually (the younger ones at least) taking back vestiges of the childhood they had lost. They are now confident that people care and that a better life lies ahead; all they need do is reach out and grasp it. These children, and the others to whom this newspaper was unable to speak, represent hope to the thousands of their peers who are still endangered. Unfortunately, there is just one children’s home and it is always at capacity. Nevertheless, the Child Care and Protection Agency’s welfare officers, social workers, matron and other ancillary staff, led by the crusading Ms Ann Greene and Minister Priya Manickchand deserve kudos for having gone from nothing at all to this far in a few years. Clearly much more work needs to be done, and with the motivation now being provided by these grateful children who are succeeding in turning their lives around, it hopefully will get done sooner rather than later.
Child Protection Week is observed by different countries around the world at different times of the year. This year’s observance in Guyana targets communities, with its theme ‘Caring Communities raise Caring Children, Protect them now’; the idea being to stress the importance of protecting children given how vulnerable most of them are.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by some 193 countries, apart from enshrining the protection of children from all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation, under the standards of international law, establishes that children have the right to special protection measures and assistance. Countries ratifying the convention must ensure that their young citizens have access to education and health care; grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding and are informed about and participate in achieving their rights.
UNICEF advocates building a protective environment for children that repels violence, abuse and exploitation. Such an environment, it said, would involve strengthening government commitment and capacity to fulfil children’s right to protection; promoting the establishment and enforcement of adequate legislation; addressing harmful attitudes, customs and practices; encouraging open discussion of child protection issues that includes media and civil society partners; developing children’s life skills, knowledge and participation; and building the capacity of families and communities among others.
