WIA wants minister to report on how GIS wards are doing

Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams has been given five days to update the country on the well-being of the girls from the Government Industrial School (GIS) who were reported to be on suicide watch at the Psychiatric Hospital.

Women In Action (WIA) is also demanding an update on the other girls who have been returned to solitary confinement at the juvenile reform facility at Barrows, St Lucy.         

“We assert that the families of the girls and the public have the right to an update and even further, have the right to know without having to ask considering the seriousness of the repeated allegations made by current and former wards of the Barrows Unit of the Government Industrial School. We, therefore, expect that within five days, Minister Abrahams will provide the nation with such an update, “ said spokesperson for WIA Tempu Nefertari in a press release on Tuesday.

Asked later what happens if their demands are not met by the end of the five days, Nefertari told Barbados TODAY: “Given the concerns that people have expressed, he should feel that we would want to know how those girls are doing and come to us. And if he doesn’t see the need to do that within five days, then we will just need to be very pointed as to why it is necessary that we get the update.”

She declined to elaborate.

The WIA representative said her network of non-governmental organisations and individuals want to know how the rehabilitative needs of the girls on suicide watch and those confined at the Barrows Unit are being addressed.

“We cannot take it for granted that they are receiving the care needed. It would be irresponsible of us to ignore the cries of our children,” she contended.

The women’s grouping recalled that in March 2021, Minister Abrahams said the rights of children must never be compromised.

“Until such time as we can confirm that the local standards are on par with international standards and rules, our reference point for the standard of care and protection of our children, will be the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” Nefertari added.

She argued that child predators have invaded Barbadian homes, schools, churches and even state-run facilities.

“It is a problem when the adults in the society are not keeping watch over the children. The situation at hand says to us that it will not be enough to repeal laws, reform legislation and change staff; this calls for an extensive educational outreach across the society. What is government waiting for?” the Women In Action official asked.                                       

Up to Press time, efforts to reach Minister Abrahams proved futile. (EJ)