Increased partnership needed to tackle child abuse- Minister Ally

Georgetown, Guyana – (September 26, 2018) Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally, today, called on citizens to partner with government to eliminate all forms of violence against children. The Minister made the call during a Child Protection Week rally held at the Stabroek Square, Georgetown.

“Today we call on all Guyanese to partner with Government, Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs), religious organizations and society as a whole, to work together to protect and create a safe, stable, secure and nurturing environment that is safe from abuse and neglect,” said Minister Ally.

Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally.

A group of children perform a skit at the Child Protection Week rally.

She said it is time to “build on each other’s strengths to create greater efficiency” while assuring government’s commitment to fostering supportive conditions where parents can properly care for their children.

“My administration is dedicated to fostering healthy and supportive conditions that enable our children to develop and thrive and ensure that parents and caretakers have the resources they need to properly care for their children… we must put the family at the center of national discourse,” Minister Ally declared.

Similarly, UNICEF’s country representative Ms. Sylvie Fouet encouraged community involvement to prevent child abuse.

“Beyond the systems, the key to success is you, the communities, so we call for the involvement of everyone… you have the power to prevent sexual abuse,” Ms. Fouet stated.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police Mr. Leslie James said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is committed to ensuring that perpetrators of child abuse are placed before the courts.

“I wish to indicate very clearly that the Guyana Police Force has always been committed to dealing with child sexual abusers. Testimony to this fact are members of the Gender Based Unit across the divisions of the Guyana Police Force, who interacted with a multi-stakeholder agency to examine the current state of affairs in relation to investigations and other matters pertinent to sexual abuse and specifically to the child,” Commissioner James stated.

Child Protection Week is being celebrated under the theme, “Supporting Families to Prevent Child Abuse through Education and Community Involvement”.