Various youth organizations expressed grave concern over the fact that a growing number of young girls between the ages 12 and 25 are running away from home. In most cases the girls return home after one or two days.
The youth organizations want the government to formulate and implement a policy aimed at reducing the number of runaways. They explained that a shelter is needed for girls who have run away from home more than 2 times so that they can receive counselling.
Youth Counsellor Dwight Samuel pointed out that the police must share more information about the places where these youths go when they run away from their homes. It is also important to find out why youths run away from home. “Strict measures must be taken when young girls regularly run away from home. They should not get off with a slap on the wrist. An institute is needed to provide counselling to young runaway girls and their parents.
Vanity Smith who is also a youth counsellor pointed out that almost every day a desperate mother or other relative asks for help on social media in order to find the youth that has run away from home. She explained that all of the ministries that are tasked with implementing the youth policy must work with the various organizations to formulate a policy aimed at keeping youths busy with positive things to keep them from running away. Smith also urges parents to keep talking to their children.
