President Danny Faure chaired a follow-up meeting with members of the High-Level Committee for Child Protection this morning. The High-Level Committee was set up in April this year and was commissioned to review the existing structures in place in the country related to child protection and propose recommendations to the Government. 

This morning, various recommendations were presented to the Head of State. The first presentation was by the Chief Justice, Mrs Mathilda Twomey, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Child Law Reform Committee (CLRC). She appraised those present of work undertaken by the CLRC to date and the work plan in relation to the review of existing laws, the recommendation of legislative amendments, as well as the proposal for new laws where existing laws are found to inadequately protect children.

The Designated Minister, who is also the Minister for Home Affairs, Local Government, Youth and Sports, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, presented the Report on Child Protection in Seychelles analysing the various structures, roles and services currently in place and identifying gaps and required remedial actions.

The President thanked all members for their dedication and for the excellent work undertaken over the past 3 months, demonstrating their commitment to strengthen child protection in Seychelles. President Faure directed work on the next phase to intensify, which entails converting all the proposed recommendations into action, through a detailed National Action Plan with clear timelines and budgetary requirements.

Members of the High Level Committee include the Chief Justice, Mrs Mathilda Twomey, Designated Minister, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, the Minister for Family Affairs, Mrs Mitcy Larue, the Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Mrs Jeanne Simeon, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kishnan Labonte, the Attorney General, Mr Frank Ally, The Chairperson of National Commission for Child Protection, Amb. Dr Erna Athanasius, Secretary of State for Health, Amb. Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Principal Secretary for Social Affairs, Mrs Linda William-Melanie, the Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Policy Affairs, Ms Margaret Moumou and Communications Advisor, Mrs Laurie-Mae Lepathy-Ansah.