N.C.F.C. says abuse, neglect threaten Belizean children

On Saturday the National Committee for Families and Children celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 1990, Belize became the fifth country to ratify the United Nations Convention. Four years later the N.C.F.C. was established to ensure that Government meets its national and international obligations. Ruby Conrad, N.C.F.C.’s Executive Director says Belize has been doing well in promoting children’s rights. However, they are troubled by a number of social problems.

Ruby Conrad, Executive Director, N.C.F.C.

“Some of the issues that we are really concerned about are the neglect of children, meaning the abdication of the role, the responsibility roles to discipline and train children. The abuse of children. Somehow our society has forgotten that their primary responsibility is to look after children, to train and bring up children in the way they should grow up.

Youths at risk are a particularly vulnerable group. They need to be brought in to the main stream of community life. In the Convention they have a right to participate in community life in a healthy productive way. I think they have been out there and even though there are good programs for them, through the Youth Department and the Ministry of Human Development, I do not think the public is aware that these things are there for street youths, youths who are getting into trouble — the vulnerable group.”

On Saturday, the N.C.F.C. travels to Punta Gorda Town where they will sensitize seventy-five Mayan Alcaldes about the Families and Children’s Act. They will discuss its impact on the lives and cultural traditions of the Mayas. Other activities include talk shows and video presentations. The C.R.C. anniversary will be celebrated under the theme, “Respect and Responsibilities equal Rights”.