Historic Sitting: Children Address Parliament

A historic sitting of Parliament saw four children addressing the House on the issue of violence; making a call for members of parliament to make ending violence against children a priority. The special session is intended to prompt urgent action by the government to implement the national plan of action for an integrated response to children and violence.

A seven year old N’Gozi Wright expressed concern about what is happening to the nation’s children appealing to the  Government to do more. Her brother, Tafari Wright says children are afraid of becoming the next victim to violence. He says many children are being bullied and sexually and emotionally abused. His question to parliament was ‘ What are you doing to help break the cycle?”

Ten year old, Keino King shared the experience of other children who he says were left scarred by violence. Some of the children, he says, were exposed to gun violence, verbally and sexually abused. He says the reality of this has left many children being fearful and not wanting to live in a country where they feel unprotected.

Eighteen year old Shanielle Hall  was sexually abused at a young age by a member of her family and was afraid to speak about it. She says the experience had left her traumatised for a period. She made a call for the Government to acknowledge that many children are being abused and afraid to speak out because of what they believe will be the consequences.

Globally, approximately 1 billion children are exposed to violence and neglect. This is one of the reasons why these children are urging the government to treat violence against children as an urgent priority.

The Opposition Leader, Dr Peter Phillips stated that the house now has a primary responsibility to correct the experience of the nation’s children. In response, Prime Minister Andrew Holness added that there is a need to act with urgency to address violence against children.

KHADIJAH THOMAS