Families and Children’s Act handbook launched
Did you know that if a woman lies about who the father of her child is she can go to jail, or that a man who moves to another house in order to avoid paying maintenance can be fined up to three thousand dollars? Were you aware that you have to be at least 25 years old to adopt a child, even if you are married? Or that if you know a child is being abused but fail to report it you could be fined or sent to jail? These are just some of the many useful facts you can find in a publication launched today by the National Committee for Families and Children. As News Five found out, just about everyone can use this colorful, easy to read publication.
The book is divided into 6 chapters according to the topics dealt with in the Families and Children’s Act. Whether it is information you need on rights and the capacity of a child, guardianship and custody, paternity and status of a child, maintenance, adoption or the protection of a child, the fifty-one page booklet clearly explains the issues.
Ruby Conrad, Executive Director, N.C.F.C.
“Because the original text is in legal jargon and only lawyers and magistrates can understand it and work from it, the simplified version gives a chance to the ordinary man or woman who needs to have legal questions asked or answers. And this is what the booklet does.”
The booklet was prepared by Samira Musa Pott, an Attorney at Law and member of the legal team at the National Committee for Families and Children.
Samira Musa Pott, Attorney at Law
“The format I decided to use and the format I thought would be more user friendly was the question and answer format. The questions are in red and the answers are in black and the font used is very big. So it will be very easy to read for the ordinary man out there. Apart from the questions and answers I also included beneath each question, the section of the Act dealing with the particular question and answer so that a person who reads this booklet can refer back to the section in the Act quite easily.”
Confusion about the law can lead to misunderstandings or even the abuse of someone’s rights. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, the Minister of Human Development, Women and Youth raised as an example a case discussed on a recent radio talk show. She said contrary to what was stated on the program, an alleged abuser can still be taken to court even if the mother or guardian of the abused child decides not to press charges.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Min. of Human Development
“A caller called in and asked the question whether the authorities, the Human Development people or the police or whoever can still take action in pursuing a child abuser, an alleged offender, if the mother or the actual guardian or caretaker or giver doesn’t want? And this is very topical and you will agree ladies and gentlemen and the answer that came was no. That the authorities cannot pursue that alleged offender. And I am sorry that I left because the real answer, if I am correct Lois, is yes. You can pursue such a person. It is not up to the mother, it is not up to the person who may be afraid to go before the legal system and bring justice and bring the proper protection for that child.”
N.C.F.C. and the Ministry of Human Development hope this publication will help to clarify such issues and be an easy reference guide for Belizean families as well as personnel in government and non-governmental agencies.
You can get your free copy of the Families and Children’s Act booklet at the National Committee for Families and Children office on Albert Street West.
