Dear Editor,

0n June 23, 2023 scores of Jamaicans were seen gathered in small groups or going about their business dressed in black. Simultaneously, a group of private sector organisations came out in support of a National Day of Mourning for the 10 children murdered in the country since the start of the year and as a show of support for those suffering abuse. The gruesome murder of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe on June 7, the 10th child murdered this year, was the catalyst for the day of mourning.

As Kiwanians we share the concern about the scourge of violence being experienced by our children as our vision statement encourages us to be a positive influence in communities worldwide so that one day children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them, and provide them with the support they need to thrive.

For nearly a century, Kiwanis has created a safe space for children to learn, experience, dream, grow, and succeed through its service leadership clubs — K-Kids, Builders, Key, Circle K International, and Aktion clubs in schools and universities.

Some time has passed since this demonstration on June 23 and the question we should all ask is: What’s next? What are the tangible steps that the country should institute to ensure that we eliminate the scourge of violence against our children in Jamaica, land we love?

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The measure of a society is how it treats its weakest members.” The protection of our most vulnerable, and in particular our children, is, therefore, an urgent imperative.

The following are three suggestions we are advancing as concrete steps that must be taken if we are serious about ending these cruel, insensitive and violent acts being perpetuated on our children.

1) Every employee in institutions such as children’s home, schools, day care, etc who will come in contact with children must undergo a background check to determine his/her suitability to have such interaction and to try to identify those with ill intent.

2) A nationwide educational programme teaching the value of our children to our future as a nation and how they should be treated must be urgently pursued. This educational programme should be on TV, radio, social media, and involve face-to-face seminars with schools, churches, parent-teacher associations, non-governmental organisations, and other institutions. This educational programme could be the subject of a public-private partnership to involve and leverage the resources in the private sector.

3) We need to revise our laws pertaining to offences against children to ensure they are adequate as a deterrent against the murder, abuse, and viciousness so regularly meted out to our children.

We are at war and must, therefore, adopt a stance that reflects that the soul of our country is at stake. Money, resources, and our will to win must not be an issue.

Hugh Reid

Lieutenant governor

Kiwanis Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District

hughanthonyreid@gmail.com