In a heartfelt statement commemorating World Children’s Day (WCD) on November 20, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar emphasized her government’s steadfast dedication to protecting the well-being, safety, and development of every child in Trinidad and Tobago. This year’s WCD theme, ‘My Day, My Rights,’ serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent dignity and rights of children, urging global and national efforts to ensure their voices are heard and their futures shaped. Persad-Bissessar invoked the words of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who once described the trust the world holds with children as sacred, underscoring the collective responsibility to create a society where every child feels valued and empowered. Since her government’s election victory in April, several initiatives have been launched to bolster children’s rights and opportunities. These include providing universal digital access through secure devices, distributing free laptops to secondary school entrants, enhancing school safety frameworks, and expanding paediatric mental health services. A landmark achievement is the upcoming opening of the Couva Children’s Hospital in December, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to paediatric and adolescent care. Persad-Bissessar called on the nation to amplify the voices of young people, whose creativity and courage, she believes, hold the key to Trinidad and Tobago’s future. She urged collective action to transform the WCD theme into a tangible reality, ensuring every child’s dreams and rights are upheld.
PM: Government will ensure children’s rights are upheld, protected
