In a landmark move to address systemic child protection gaps, Suriname’s Minister of Public Health, Welfare, and Labor, André Misiekaba, has formalized a comprehensive partnership with the Integral Child Protection Network (IKBeN). This binding commitment establishes a reinforced collaborative framework between government agencies and civil society organizations to combat child abuse, violence, and neglect through coordinated action.
The agreement, signed during a ceremony attended by key stakeholders, represents a strategic shift toward integrated child welfare management. IKBeN serves as a multilateral platform uniting government ministries, domestic NGOs, and international partners including UNICEF Suriname. The network will prioritize developing standardized case management protocols and referral systems to ensure timely intervention for children in high-risk situations.
This policy intensification follows a severe incident in Commewijne that exposed critical vulnerabilities in existing child protection mechanisms. In response, authorities have drafted an action plan emphasizing targeted measures and high-level administrative integration of child-focused policies. A cross-ministerial pilot project will designate technical representatives from each ministry to streamline interdepartmental coordination.
UNICEF Child Protection Officer Sandhya Soekhoe joined IKBeN focal points Angela Salmo and Dana Plet-Wardi in endorsing the pact, which commits signatories to unconditional support for child development rights. The agreement explicitly recognizes every child’s entitlement to security, personal growth, and social welfare, mandating improved information-sharing practices to make protective services universally accessible and effective.