In light of this said Liburd, a new Child Welfare Board is to be appointed, in keeping with government’s obligation to the Federation’s children, to ensure, review and improve provisions for child protection and safety. 

The Minister said that she saw it absolutely necessary for the Child Welfare Board to be active in the pursuit of the protection of the rights of the child. 

The Child Welfare Board will monitor and evaluate services provided by government agencies, residential institutions and other entities which serve children and help shape their development.

The Minister has also pointed out that it is paramount that the new Board be installed to help oversee the creation of the new child development policy and project, including the Horizon Co-Ed Centre in Harris’. 

The Board will draw membership from among educators, social workers, early childhood specialists, the medical profession, the Police, the legal fraternity and the clergy. Cabinet was exceptionally pleased to give strong support to Minister Liburd’s proposal. 

St. Kitts and Nevis has confirmed its allegiance to uphold the rights of the child to be protected in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding through its signing of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child some years ago. Specifically, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that the child should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, to facilitate the full and harmonious development of the child’s personality. The Declaration of the Rights of the Child establishes, among other things, the right of the child to special safeguards and care, including legal protection, suited to his or her level of physical and mental development.