By Kimberly Giddings
November 20, 2024
The Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) is urging increased awareness of the rights guaranteed to children under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
This call was made during a ceremony marking the 35th Anniversary of the UNCRC, where Deputy Chairperson of the RCC, Rosemary Benjamin-Noble, highlighted the need for continued efforts to educate children, parents, and teachers about these fundamental rights.
The RCC has conducted an extensive nationwide campaign engaging directly with children, educators, and adults as part of its mandate to promote understanding of children’s rights.
Benjamin-Noble noted that while the outreach efforts were well-received and informative, there remains significant work to be done to ensure that all children and their caretakers are knowledgeable about these rights and the processes that support them.
“Children must be supported to become productive citizens, understanding their rights alongside adults who are informed and committed to upholding these rights,” she emphasized.
UNICEF’s Representative to Guyana, Nicholas Pron, also underscored the importance of the UNCRC, describing the anniversary as both a celebration of progress and a call to action.
Pron reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to collaborating with the government and child rights organizations to address barriers to realizing every child’s right to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.
“This anniversary reminds us of the challenges we must collectively address to ensure that every child in Guyana has their rights respected and upheld,” Pron stated.
UNICEF continues to advocate for policies and programs that prioritize children’s rights, aiming to create a society where every child is valued and included.
This year’s World Children’s Day is observed under the theme: Inclusion, for Every Child, reflecting the ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion for all children.