“We want to have you involved” – Minister of Social Protection to Religious Community

The Ministry of Social Protection, through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) – recently held a special meeting with religious organizations in Guyana which focused on ways in which both bodies can collaborate to effectively protect the rights of children.

Based on statistics from the CCPA 2017 has seen an increase in reports of child abuse; there has been a consecutive increase in reports over the last four years. The increase does not mean an increase in the instances of abuse, but represent the success of the agency’s multi-media campaign and continuous efforts to have more persons report cases of abuse to the Department.

The Ministry of Social Protection are of the belief that religious organizations are in a unique position to make an impact on situations of abuse because of their close relationship with vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

Minister Ally told religious leaders present – Religious organizations are indispensable partners in the government’s focus on reaching the most vulnerable in society. She further stated, “it is the moral influence of religion that can have a major impact on perspective, foster dialogue and set priorities for members of its community; many people in Guyana identify religious leaders as the group they trust the most”.

“It is you who are the skilled and influential communicators that can reach the hearts and minds of people in ways that other institutions cannot, it is you who have more access to the family and personal spheres than most outside actors.  You serve as an important conduit of communication for social change and transformation of child protection mechanisms in Guyana”. The profound influence religion can have on children’s development and socialization, offers the potential to reinforce protective influences and promote resilience.

Deputy Representative of UNICEF, Mr. Paulo Marchi, said his organization is extremely pleased to be a part of the initiative and looks forward to ways in which it can partner with the Government and Religious organizations to reduce the instances of violence against children. He indicated that violence against children plagues on many societies and deprives children of the possibility to develop in the best possible manner. Mr. Marchi, during his two years in Guyana, has come to appreciate the role of religion in Guyanese society and stressed on its importance in eliminating violence against children.

Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ms. Ann Greene, spoke on how agency can collaborate with Religious Organizations. Ms. Greene also took the opportunity to report on child abuse cases for 2017. The report recorded the highest cases of child abuse being reported in Region ten with 22.1%; it is followed by region three with 20.6% and region four with 17.6%.

Pastor Ronald McGarrel, National Director of the Family Federation and Chairman of the Interreligious Organization (IRO) said the IRO has been working on various initiatives as it relates to the family and child protection and would like to actively participate in collaborative efforts with the Childcare and Protection Agency.

Ms. Alima Nassir, Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission, said based on the statistics presented, a collaborative effort is needed to tackle the issue, especially since the reported cases do not represent all of the instances of abuse, particularly in Hinterland areas. Ms. Nassir, who is also the Head of the Women’s Arm of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), said the CIOG is willing to partner with the Government to arrest the issue of Child Abuse.

The Child Care and Protection Agency is responsible for making timely interventions in matters concerning children; this includes any action that is deemed necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of children or prevent, reduce and alleviate the effects of the abuse and neglect of children by offering effective services their rights entitle them to.

The Agency remains committed to its mandate.