#BTSpeakingOut – Where is the voice of the children’s advocate?

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

An article published in a section of the print media on 29th May, 2021 informed that recently elected Vice-Chair of the United Nation committee of the Rights of the child was on a mission to ensure the rights of children across the globe.

The article went on to say that Barbadian children’s advocate and activist Faith Marshall-Harris will be pushing an agenda as a world regulator and watchdog on the Rights of the child as she spearheads the committee’s charge in such areas as the right to life, shelter, food, education, access to health care and the treatment of adolescents

The article also emphasized that Marshall-Harris’ mandate and by extension the committee’s is to make its presence felt wherever in the world there is a “hot-spot” or “trouble spot” in which children are adversely impacted.

Earlier this year, on 6th June 2022, Mrs. Faith Marshall-Harris was successfully re-elected to the UN Committee on the
Rights of the child, and now holds the position of Vice-Chair along with the post of Rapporteur.

Soon after the announcement of her re-election, Marshall-Harris was quoted as saying, “This re-election signals the esteem with which Barbados is held on the world stage.”

She went on to give a commitment, saying, “Barbados and the Caribbean region can be assured that I will continue to devote all my energy to safeguarding and defending the rights of children, not only in our region but everywhere there is a need.”

Since news broke that first formers at secondary schools in Barbados were exposed to a survey containing inappropriate questions, the voices of several key personalities have been heard.

It is beyond doubt that an injustice has been meted out to those first formers who were exposed to the survey.

It is beyond doubt that the law has been breached as it pertains to the protection of minors.

It is almost a certainty that parents, guardians and other interested persons
will be eager to hear the voice of children’s advocate and activist Mrs. Faith Marshall-Harris .

Michael Ray