BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 2, 2010 (Labour Secretariat Press Release) - Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas, giving the opening address at the UNICEF’s Mid-Term Review at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, said that “a country’s future resides in our cherished children”.
The UNICEF’s Mid-Term Review is a multi-country programme of cooperation between the Governments of Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and UNICEF. The meeting was held from June 1 to 3 under the theme “Re-thinking the Agenda for Children”.
“Children today face some of the most pressing challenges that are complicated by many issues including family dysfunction, wars, health epidemics, inadequate nutrition, abuse of all kinds, inadequate access to health care, education and nurturing environments,” Dr. Douglas said.
The Prime Minister said that St. Kitts and Nevis had made enormous strides in the areas of child care and development.
In 1990, St. Kitts and Nevis signed and ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Several pieces of legislation have been amended including The Juvenile’s Act, The Education Act, The Probation Act and Child Welfare Board Act. Early childhood policy was upgraded.
“The enabling environment and the empowerment of our children must be of sustained priority in all of our Caribbean nations,” Dr. Douglas said.
Some of the problems plaguing children today include child abuse of all sorts, health and family problems, he said.
Too many young people are obese and suffering from illnesses such as diabetes because of lifestyle choices, he added.
“Cases of child abuse exist everywhere in the Caribbean region. While such abuse is mostly connected with domestic situations, it is no less serious than those impacted by cultural norms, those impacted by wars and ethnic conflicts,” Dr. Douglas said. “It is vital therefore that legislature and protocols diligently protect our children from violence, from drugs and sexual abuse.”
Legislation and protocols to protect children must be applied and seen to be effective, he said.
“We live in a highly dynamic world where problems are our ever present companions and it seems that the charge to address these problems must be sustained, must be effective, and while one set of problems may recede in the background, a new set quickly emerges as replacement.
“A child must experience positive stimulation and socialization at home during their most critical stage of development, and that has implications on their own capabilities in later life,” Dr. Douglas said.
Hon. Marcella Liburd, Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs gave welcome remarks.
“In societies where children represent a large percentage of the poor, and are among the most vulnerable they are often victims of neglect and abuse. It is our responsibility to create a climate of love, warmth and caring attention so that every child would have a safe place for learning, playing and living a healthy lifestyle.
“Our children face many challenges, conflicting information and overwhelming negative influences. Together we must work relentlessly to promote and safeguard their best interests and save them even from themselves,” she said.
