Legislation coming to offer greater protection for children

GOVERNMENT is in the process of amending various pieces legislation in order to deal with critical issues affecting the lives of children in Barbados in a holistic matter, thereby offering even more protection to this vulnerable group.

Word of this from Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development Steven Blackett as he delivered brief remarks at the Robinson Smiles and Hope Inc Charity event held at the Barbados Museum over the weekend.

The Minister who lauded the work of the non-profit charitable organisation told the patrons that the legislation to be amended will be wide-reaching to encompass children, gender and family issues.

“One such statute is the Domestic Violence Act, which, when amended, will broaden the scope of what is currently deemed as child abuse; that is, a person or persons can stand accused of child abuse if they perpetrate any act of domestic violence in the presence of a child.”

To this end, the Minister expressed hope that the Robinson Smiles and Hope Inc. and Barbados can continue to partner and form a strategic alliance, with his Ministry.

“We have already been made acutely aware of their work as one of its founders, Julia Robinson, was recently on the island to meet for the first time with a grandmother who has been raising five of her seven grandchildren, who are without both of their parents since an unfortunate incident disrupted their lives on Christmas Eve of 2015.”

“I am confident that together, the Foundation, my Ministry and other caring persons like yourselves can help our children, the future of this country, the future of this world, to unlock their potential, while we watch as simple acts of kindness and generosity encourage them to bloom and blossom into productive members of society.”

He revealed that on a wider scale, the Government of Barbados is signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This Convention contains 54 articles which outline the privileges that all children should be able to enjoy, such as the right to freedom of expression, protection, culture and play, education and health care.

“It is guided by four core principles: non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; the rights to survival, development and protection; and respect for the views of children.”

“The Government continues to work assiduously in order to ensure the rights of children, in accordance with the Articles of the Convention, and this process is monitored through a National Committee for Monitoring the Rights of the Child,” he said. (JH)