The Rights of the Child Commission has officially submitted its long-awaited annual reports for the years 2019 and 2020 to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.
The handover ceremony took place at the Public Buildings in Brickdam, Georgetown.
During the event, Chairwoman Aleema Nasir noted that compiling the reports had been a time-consuming process, aimed at ensuring that the final documents were both comprehensive and of high quality.
The reports cover several critical issues affecting children in Guyana, including corporal punishment, substance abuse, and widespread cases of sexual abuse and incest, particularly in rural regions.
Nasir highlighted the persistent challenge of addressing corporal punishment, which has been a focus for the commission since its establishment in 2009.
She also raised concerns about the prevalence of sexual abuse and incest in various parts of the country, underscoring the need for continued collaboration with government agencies to address these issues effectively.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, commended the Rights of the Child Commission for its efforts in safeguarding children’s rights and encouraged the commission to continue its work despite the complexities involved.
The 2019-2020 reports will be made available to the public once they are tabled at the next sitting of the National Assembly, as required by the Constitution of Guyana under Article 212M (1).