Youth to speak out on violence against children
published: Friday | March 4, 2005

Hawkins Nanton, Gleaner Writer

NEXT WEEK when the Caribbean regional consultation is held in Trinidad and Tobago, young people from throughout the English and French-speaking Caribbean will have a chance to make recommendations and voice their opinions on issues concerning violence against children.

Representatives of government, civil society, young people and UNICEF will attend the consultation, which will run from March 10-11, 2005.

As a forerunner to the consultation on March 9 the youths will meet and discuss the issue.

The first of its kind for the year, the consultation is one of several that will be held throughout the world as part of the U.N. Global Study on Violence Against Children, which was mandated by the U.N. Secretary General in 2001.

TIMLEY CONSULTATION

The study, which is to be submitted to the General Assembly in 2006, will explore the forms, causes and impacts of violence affecting children and young people under 18 years old. It will also review legal and institutional responses to Violence Against Children.

UNICEF representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Jean Gough, said the consultation is not only needed but is most timely. Gough stated that even without the mandate from the U.N. General Assembly, it is important that this issue of violence against children is examined.

"We clearly need to implement structures and programmes to ensure that children are protected in their homes, schools and communities because protection from violence is a fundamental right under the U.N. Convention on the Right of the Child, which all Caribbean countries have signed and ratified," she said.

"Further with the ever increasing incidences of violence against children being reported this consultation could not be more timely," added Gough.

During the consultation the young people will work with members of civil society, government officials and U.N. officials to examine the situation on Violence Against Children in the Caribbean Region along with making recommendation for improved legislation, policy, and programming.