‘Free society of child abuse’
— CC&PA staffers urged at year end activity
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Officials of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) were on Wednesday encouraged to continue working diligently to protect the nation’s children.
This appeal was made during the agency’s annual year-end staff conference; an activity which allows staffers to collectively reflect on their achievements throughout the year and to propose plans for the following year.
Held at the Pegasus Hotel, several regional representatives attended the event hosted under the theme, “giving children hope by strengthening families to cope in 2020.”
Minister of Social Protection, the Hon. Amna Ally remarked that despite challenges, Guyanese should be proud of the country’s progress, noting that child protection is in a truly transformative phase.
“This is evident with Guyana’s adoption of numerous international conventions such as the convention on the rights of the child and its optional protocols, along with national legislation, policies and programmes that have boosted, protected and supported our children’s wellbeing.”
Minister Ally underscored that the implementation of a wide-ranging quality reform agenda in early childhood education and child care is a key focus of the government to provide better outcomes for children.
Additionally, Minister with responsibility for Labour, Hon. Keith Scott called on the agency to intensify its efforts to rid the society of childhood abuse.
“The data outlined translates into almost three cases of sexual abuse of children every day. That was never the intention of our social systems, which were designed to protect the citizenry,” Minister Scott opined.
Meanwhile, Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA), Ann Greene remarked that a total of 3752 cases of child abuse were reported to the department at the end of October 2019.
According to Greene, the CC&PA is continuing with its ‘Communicating 4 Development’ initiative – using various strategies to get the awareness message out, adding that new methods will be established to increase the involvement of the public in the protection of children.
Awards were also presented for Professional Officer of the Year, Auxiliary Staff of the Year, Most Improved Staff of the Year and Most Productive Team.