The need to protect the nation's children has once again been emphasised by Chief Justice Zaila McCalla.

Addressing the regular weekly meeting of the all-female Kiwanis Club of Providence, at the Wexford Hotel in Montego Bay, on Wednesday, McCalla said failure to protect the children would result in failure to protect the nation.

"We must all continue in our efforts to raise public awareness on ways of maintaining the safety of our children and the need for greater vigilance in protecting them. The important role of those with parental responsibilities or those charged with the care of children, whether short term or long term, can never be overstated. This means that children must be protected, even from themselves," she said.

The chief justice said as it relates to the island's court system and dealing with children, efforts were continuing to sensitise staff members on the important principles, which have been agreed and established in that regard.

"We in the court system must at all times be guided by that over-arching principle. With assistance from our international partners, I have taken steps to sensitise all judicial officers regarding those important principles and we have had several workshops, sensitisation sessions and seminars," she noted.

McCalla said with increased public awareness, child rights would become an important element in the thrust for greater human rights.

Meanwhile, the chief justice explained that the rights of children are tied to those of women and discrimination against that group would have far reaching implications.