A national budget for children is expected to be established this year as part of a work plan for 2007 as outlined by a government and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) project.
The Ministry of Finance will assist with the budget, which is among the priorities for the year, while the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will oversee the establishment of legal aid services for children and a national Children’s Help Line.
Yesterday, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Elisabeth Harper and UNICEF’s representative to Guyana, Johannes Wedenig signed the Annual Work Plan (AWP), which outlines activities to be undertaken during the year.
The AWPs for 2007 are part of the Country Programme of Cooperation, which is a collaborative project between government and UNICEF that runs from 2006-2010.
The programme is focused on public policy and child rights; child protection; early childhood development and HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support among other things. Speaking briefly with the media, Wedenig said the annual budget for the programme has seen steady growth over the last years, and has now reached more than US$2 million for 2007.
Also listed as priorities in the AWP for 2007 are the implementation of the campaign ‘No Violence against Children is Justifiable, All Violence against Children is Preventable’ and the continuation of the Global Campaign Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS as well as a campaign to get male partners more involved in sexual reproductive health.
The Ministry of Human Services is also assisting with the development of a child protection strategy for 2007 and has pledged that continued support will be provided to ensure a protective environment for vulnerable children, such as those in orphanages; children affected by HIV/AIDS; victims of abuse and exploitation and adolescents in conflict with the law.
According to UNICEF, the Ministry of Education is the main partner for the expansion of the child friendly approach and the promotion of healthy lifestyles through Health and Family Life Education in schools. Additionally activities undertaken in the area of sports development by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will be scaled up this year.
With the Ministry of Health, UNICEF plans to continue collaboration in the area of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
