Last Updated on September 7, 2022, 2:16 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Dr Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Development and Gender Affairs, hosted a meeting with the ministry’s leadership on August 17, 2022, after which the need for an urgent system review became apparent.
The two-day stakeholder review, which will be held for two da on September 6-7 of child protection and juvenile justice legislation in St Kitts and Nevis, will significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.
He stated that children were the ministry’s priority and that it was the officials’ responsibility to ensure they were protected. Minister Hanley made these remarks shortly after the opening of the stakeholder review on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
He stated that they aspire to do everything reasonably and had noticed some inconsistencies that needed to be addressed and set right, primarily since they will be handled under a new administration.
Dr Hanley commended Permanent Secretary Janelle Lewis-Tafari and her team at the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs for organizing such a thorough stakeholder review in a short time.
The stakeholders are focusing on the functions of the Probation and Child Welfare Board in the context of their principal legislation – the Probation and Child Welfare Board Act and the complementary legislation – Child Justice and Child (Care and Adoption). The review is enabled by Mr Rohan Walters, Crown Counsel and Legal Advisor to the Probation and Child Welfare Board.
UNICEF is also providing support for the review process. Officials from the United Nations organization are participating virtually in the sessions.
Additionally, the international organization has agreed to fund a consultancy to assist with the follow-up steps.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Hanley thanked UNICEF for its generous support over the years and said he looked forward to the report from the two-day stakeholder review.
The workshop is being held in the Early Childhood Development Conference Room.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
