News Releases

Breaking the Silence on Child Labour

For Release Upon Receipt - June 15, 2023

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. Thursday 15 June, 2023 - The MOU Oversight Committee of the Banker's Association of Trinidad and Tobago in partnership with the Institute for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) St Augustine Unit in its commitment to the Break the Silence (BTS) Campaign to end Child Sexual Abuse, joins the global community in observing World Day Against Child Labor 2023. This year's slogan, "Social Justice for All. End Child Labour" exemplifies the need for all stakeholders to connect and to push for an equitable future for everyone. The combined effects of race, gender, class and culture often leaves children vulnerable to volatile and dangerous circumstances. According to the International Labour Organization, “the COVID-19 Pandemic has plunged more families into poverty and forced millions more children into Child Labour (ILO, 2023)." The Pandemic has exacerbated socioeconomic inequalities, leaving many behind, especially children, in recovery efforts. 

Since its inception in 2008, the Break the Silence Campaign has positioned itself to address issues concerning Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and other related forms of Gender-Based Violence. The Children’s Authority in its 2019 Annual Report, stated that CSA was the leading form of Child Abuse with maltreatment at 22.6%, child neglect at (20.6%) followed by physical abuse at (14.3%) (Children’s Authority 2019, p. 76). 

The IGDS/BATT MOU Oversight Committee also sees the clear connection between Child Labour and CSA through the egregious acts of Child Pornography, Child Sexual Trafficking and Child Prostitution. In June 2022, five (5) persons were held in connection with human trafficking and the facilitation of a child prostitution ring (Daily Express,2022). Among locals, there have been various anecdotal accounts of children forced into sex work to help contribute to their household.

 “Children have the right to a life free from harm and should have full autonomy of their bodies and, more so, their future. As the BTS Campaign continues to expand its action-research advocacy on CSA, we also understand that all forms of Child Abuse must be prevented and mitigated to ensure that no child is left behind. Therefore, we show support to all relevant agencies involved in combating the issue of Child Labour,” said Dr. Sue-Ann Barratt, Lecturer and Head, IGDS St. Augustine Unit. 

Break the Silence: End Child Labour!

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About The University of the West Indies

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region.

From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and 10 global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world. 

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). In the latest World University Rankings 2022, released in September 2021, The UWI moved up an impressive 94 places from last year. In the current global field of some 30,000 universities and elite research institutes, The UWI stands among the top 1.5%.

The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean, it is also in the top 20 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action. 

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