The Government approved the development of a National Children’s Policy that will provide a comprehensive framework concerning matters affecting children.

The new policy is a revision of the National Policy on Children established in 1997. It was brought to the Cabinet and received the stamp of approval.

Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams made the announcement yesterday (May 17) during her contributions to the 2023-2024 Sectoral Debate.

She said the revised policy “will provide a comprehensive framework in relation to children’s issues in Jamaica, by bringing together the relevant existing policies, national plans of action and programmes, and provide a framework for the development and coordination of new policies, programmes, and legislation.”

Williams also shared that the Ministry is setting up the steering committee and engaging technical experts who will lead the development of the new policy.

Integrated response to children and violence

The Minister also sought to reassure the public that the Government has the best interest of the nation’s children and will continue its efforts to assure their welfare.

She noted the National Plan of Action for an Integrated Response to Children and Violence (NPACV) “is a signal to the world of Jamaica’s commitment towards ending all forms of violence against children.”

“We signaled that commitment in 2016 when Jamaica became a signatory to the Global Partnership to end Violence Against Children and became the only country in the Caribbean to become a Pathfinder Country. This, Madam Speaker, means that we commit to be a model country in our efforts to ending violence against children,” said Williams.

She added that through this initiative the Ministry has also been able to gather and analyze data that will enhance efficiencies in providing services to our children.