Existing research on child abuse and welfare is being brought together to help a newly established national task force recommend stronger protections for children, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has announced.
Nandlall, who is coordinating the initiative, said a team had already been assigned to gather studies, reports and empirical data produced over the years.
The material will undergo a desk review, giving the task force a foundation for its recommendations to President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
“What we have found is that there are large volumes of work already done, studies, empirical data collected in relation to matters affecting children and young people generally,” Nandlall said on his weekly Issues in the News programme.
He explained that the intention is to assess the available findings and recommendations, then build on them in developing the task force’s final report.
President Ali established the body at State House on the preceding Friday, following recent child deaths that Nandlall said had shocked the country.
Referring to cases in Berbice and on the Essequibo Coast, the Attorney General argued that the deaths reflected a wider problem requiring urgent attention.
“No one can find this spate of children’s deaths and child abuse that is so prevalent in our country, no one can find that acceptable,” he said.
The task force will examine possible legislative changes, formulate policy recommendations and identify other interventions intended to improve children’s safety and welfare.
Its work is expected to extend beyond government agencies to the places where children live, learn, worship and spend their leisure time.
Nandlall identified homes, schools, major recreational centres and religious institutions among the spaces the initiative intends to reach. He said its activities would cover all administrative regions and Indigenous communities.
Those responsible for these institutions would be engaged in efforts to create environments that better protect children.
The task force brings together representatives from several ministries, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, religious organisations and constitutional rights commissions.
Nandlall said government participation includes the ministers responsible for Legal Affairs, Home Affairs, Education and Human Services, with the Minister of Health expected to join.
He also identified the Speaker of the National Assembly, the National Toshaos Council, child-protection authorities and juvenile justice representatives among those involved.
The Bar Association of Guyana has been invited to join. The Private Sector Commission has expressed interest in participating, while the Restorative Justice Centre has requested membership.
Further stakeholders are expected to become involved as the work progresses.
Nandlall said public consultation would be another important part of the process, allowing the task force to gather views before submitting its recommendations.
“No doubt as this task force unfolds its agenda, it will include public engagements and consultations, from which a report will eventually be produced, containing the recommendations which will be delivered to His Excellency the President,” he said.
He described the initiative as an opportunity for institutions and different sections of society to work together on children’s protection.
