Health Minister Alvina Reynolds said that that although significant strides have been made in child welfare initiatives, there is still more to be done on developing legislation relating to children.

Minister for Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations, Hon. Alvina Reynolds, accompanied by the Director of Human Services, Elizabeth Lewis, recently presented a report in Geneva, Switzerland, to the Committee of the Rights of the Child.

At the five-and-a-half hour meeting the Committee inquired after the well being of Saint Lucia’s children and the status of child protection mechanisms in Saint Lucia.

The minister said government’s initiatives, such as its short term employment programs for citizens, and disability assistance for children, were applauded.

The Committee also raised concerns about the use of child labor.

“That, to our knowledge does not exist,” she said. “However, secondary school children in Grades 11 and 12, and first year Sir Arthur Lewis students are recruited by the government for a two-month internship,” she said.

In related news, a national plan for reporting cases of child abuse will soon be devised for education professionals.

The plan was announced at a UNICEF workshop, during which education professionals and partners helped devise mandatory reporting protocols and processes via discussions.

“This workshop will help us crystallize our response so that we are all on the same page as we work on this problem,” Elizabeth Lewis said.

Minister Reynolds said she is aware that there is “anxiety and fear as it pertains to reporting.” She added that although significant strides have been made in child welfare initiatives, there is still more to be done on developing legislation relating to children.