In early 2024, the Commission identified three strategic priority areas for the period 2024-2026:
① Rehabilitation services for children using illicit substance.
② Adolescent sexual reproductive health matters to address the concern of teenage pregnancy.
③ Policy/legislative related matter concerning children.
The action plan for strategic priorities 2 and 3 were presented and discussed during last year’s meeting.
During the first meeting for 2025, Dr. Anabelle Marie from the Division for Substance Abuse Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation (DSAPTR), presented a well thought out action plan addressing strategic priority 1. Members of the Commission sought clarification on certain aspects of the plan and gave their support to DSAPTR for its implementation.
Following work that started last year to strengthen child protection procedures, the Principal Secretary for Social Affairs Department, Mrs Linda William Melanie, presented the Inter Agency Child Protection Action Plan. Once finalised, all partners will need to be committed to the implementation of the action plan, which will be monitored by the NCCP.
Furthermore, following the gap analysis of the Children’s Act 1982 conducted last year, the consultant, Joelle Barnes, presented the findings to NCCP.
The Commission seized the opportunity to discuss certain aspects of the Act with the consultant as well as provided further recommendations for amendments. The gap analysis report will be shared with partners for further comments before presentation to the Cabinet of Ministers for consideration.
