Importance of child protection is personal

Dear Editor,
As Guyana joins the rest of the world in celebrating the 28th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on November 20, 2017, it is important that we recognise the connection between child protection and our nation’s well-being.
Protecting children from violence and abuse is critical to ensuring economic and social development in society, as well as achieving several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Developmental Goals (UN SDGs). More importantly, it is about doing the right things to keep children safe from all forms of abuse.
There has been an increase in the number of cases of child abuse reported to the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) over the past several years. According to ChildLinK’s Child Neglect in Guyana Report, there were 2745 reported cases of child abuse in 2014. In 2016, the number of reported cases increased to 4015 – an increase of 19 per cent.
While it is important to know the reason for the increase in reported cases, the impact of child abuse and the importance of ensuring children are protected need to be at, or near, the forefront of our national deliberations. When we fail to ensure that children are protected from violence and abuse, there is a possible constraint to Guyana’s ability to achieve several of the UNs’ SDGs; Number Four – ensuring quality education and promoting lifelong learning, and Number Eight, which seeks to promote sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. This suggests that children who experience abuse are likely to remain poor, disadvantaged, and less likely to contribute to Guyana’s development.
The ChildLinK 2016 study: An Analysis of the Nature and Extent of Institutionalisation of Children in Guyana (Bess-Bascom) revealed that girls between the ages of 10 and 16 are vulnerable to being placed in institutional care as a result of sexual abuse. The continued sexual abuse of girls will hinder Guyana’s ability to achieve the UN SDG Number Five, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Gender equality cannot be realised if girls are subject to sexual abuse and are separated from their families.
According to the Child Neglect in Guyana Report, the main contributing factor to child neglect is lack of finances. Affected income earning capacity may contribute to either a cycle of poverty or a resort to criminal activity — a national security concern. Child neglect and child poverty will hinder Guyana’s ability to achieve the UN SDG Number One, which aims to end poverty in all its forms.
Ultimately, the issue of the importance of child protection is personal. Every child has the right to grow up in an environment in which they feel safe and have the freedom to learn as well as to explore their potential.
Stronger legislation and improved policies, once implemented and enforced, will not only improve the quality of life for children, but the economic and social well-being of our nation.

Yours faithfully,
Hasani Tinnie
Child Rights Alliance