Saint Lucia took a step toward strengthening the protection of its youth when national stakeholders convened on November 11 to help shape the National System for the Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents (NSCPCA).
According to a press release from the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice & Empowerment, this new framework aims to enhance coordination, improve accountability and ensure policy alignment across all sectors involved in child and adolescent welfare.
The consultation brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations and international partners.
Discussions centred on participation in the NSCPCA and its associated governance structures, the National Child Protection Steering Committee and the Child Rights Advisory and Observatory Mechanism.
Once implemented, the NSCPCA will serve as a unified platform to support collaboration among all entities responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of Saint Lucia’s children and adolescents.
The system reinforces Saint Lucia’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and supports ongoing national progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Equity, Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte-Emmanuel, underlined the importance of the initiative, describing the consultation as a critical milestone in developing a coordinated, multisectoral child protection framework.
“The NSCPCA will bring together all sectors involved in the care and development of children,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure that every child is protected, engaged, and able to access education and healthcare. This process is about shared responsibility, working collectively with our partners to create the right conditions for children to thrive.”
Hippolyte-Emmanuel also announced that the official launch of the NSCPCA will take place on November 19 and 20, in recognition of World Children’s Day.
Activities leading up to the launch will include a children’s march and church service in Vieux Fort, a youth gathering in La Bayee, Bexon, and a cultural showcase in Massade, Gros Islet, featuring artistic presentations focused on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
United Nations Country Coordinator for Saint Lucia, Dr. Lorraine Nicholas, commended the initiative, calling it an important advancement for child rights protection.
“The United Nations is proud to support this important initiative,” she stated. “As we prepare to mark Human Rights Day, it is encouraging to see Saint Lucia strengthen its commitment to children’s rights, ensuring that every child has the right to learn, to survive, and to be protected.”
Community paediatrician with the Ministry of Health, Dr. Brittney Dalson, also praised the consultation for its collaborative spirit.
“This was a very engaging and well-structured discussion,” Dalson said. “We look forward to deepening partnerships across ministries and sectors to advance the best interests of Saint Lucia’s children and adolescents. The establishment of this committee marks a major step toward making that vision a reality.”
Ahead of the official launch, the Ministry of Equity and its civil society partners are preparing a series of activities to mark International Children’s Day on November 19 and 20.
