This year’s World Children’s Day in Dominica will draw attention to cases of child abuse in the country. The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Every Child Deserves a Great Childhood” and it will feature several days of remarkable activities. The actual date is set for November 20, and the annual World Children’s Day was established by the United Nations in 1954.
The Bureau of Gender Affairs will partner with the Social Welfare Division to address the problems of child abuse through a series of activities slated for each day – from November 17 to 22. Communications officer for the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Shermel Elizee, revealed that a candlelight vigil will mark the celebrations on November 17 at the EC Loblack Bridge.
Teachers and legal practitioners as well as other members of the general public were present at the vigil; and Bram Sanderson, the national cyclist, was also there to lend his support. Young folks sang and recited poems as well as danced to celebrate the event.
A children’s forum will hold on November 18 involving students from Isaiah Thomas Secondary School, Portsmouth Seventh Day Adventist School and the Convent High School among others. And on the 19th, child protection agencies will hold meetings with stakeholders to chart a way forward in protecting child abuse victims and prevent child abuse cases. A mural will be completed by students of Massacre Primary School on November 20, the actual date for the World Children’s Day.
“On the 21st of November, there will be another forum with school principals,” Elizee said. “On the 22nd of November, there will be an educational radio programme with children which will start at 5pm. This programme will include discussion on children’s rights and responsibilities. There will also be a Community Connection Day; an ‘on the block’ discussion.”
Nicole Jno-Baptiste of the Child Abuse Prevention Unit of the Social Services and Welfare Division said the unit has been bringing some cases of child abuse to the notice of law enforcement agents with the police deciding to prosecute in some cases; while in others the unit may consider taking the abused child away from abusive parents or the environment where the abuse is taking place till further recourse.
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