NCFC discusses the status of Belize’s children

In the past two days, the National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) has held two of three parts in a conference to discuss the current status of Belize’s children. Its theme is “State of the Nation’s Children Conference, Coordinating the Child Protection System: Building Protective Environments”. On day one, all the stakeholders in the different government departments, civil society, and the community partners met at the Biltmore Plaza. It was here that different problems with the current system of child-protective services were discussed.
The Minister of Human Development, Hon. Eden Martinez, addressed the conference saying that there are constant reminders in the media of the hideous crimes committed against children showing just how vulnerable children are when it comes to their different environments.
He pointed out that they are not safe in school, at home, and in the community, and that it often is that the child exploitation is done by people who should be protecting them.
The conference went on to address the systematic failures that contribute to the exploitation and abuse of children.
On day two, about 450 children from all around the country gathered at the Belize Elementary School’s auditorium. They were invited to learn and participate in their own advocacy. They were granted a forum to discuss the issues that they have witnessed  children such as themselves face.
They were also presented with a pledge plan of ways that they can improve their lives and become more involved in the protection of their rights for the next three months.
The next day of the conference has been postponed until the Prime Minister is back in the country.
Guardian

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