Parent Training launched to eradicate Child Abuse
The parent training initiative has been launched to eradicate child abuse across Guyana by teaching better parenting methods.
The Childcare and Protection Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, on Tuesday launched the Special Parenting Training Programme.
The training of trainers workshop includes the coaching of individuals nationwide from NGOs and faith-based organisations. The aim is to build a pool of competent instructors in communities across Guyana.
Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud says this initiative will promote a more modern approach to parenting and aid in eradicating child abuse across Guyana.
“It is taking this generation of parents to a time beyond their older form of parenting they may have learned from their own parents or they may have been parented in such a way that leaves much to be desired when it comes to forms of disciplines for example and how supervision can be fun as well as a teaching moment. Think of the various creative ways that children and parents can bond to have stable families to remove the dysfunctionalities that exist within communities.”
The programme was first piloted in 2016 in an effort to reduce the number of children in institutional care by better enabling parents to provide effective care for their children. Since then, over 1000 parents have been trained across nine administrative regions.
Sherri-Ann Francois, Senior Probation and Social Services Officer, gave an overview of the programme.
“The goal of the programme is to reduce the number of risk factors the family faces while strengthening and building on protective factors; knowledge, skills, and access to resources. The programme is divided into five five-hour sessions covering parental responsibilities and parenting styles which addresses parents’ duties to provide for a child basic needs, as well as foster a sense of acceptance.”
The initiative promotes ‘positive parenting’ which is designed to work well with every child regardless of age, temperament, background, culture or tradition. It incorporates avoiding harsh punishments and not shouting excessively, listening to children’s views and taking account of their feelings, among other factors.
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