Ali says children’s rights are gov’t priority

-as World Children’s Day observed

President Irfaan Ali on Friday said children’s rights are a priority for his administration as Guyana joined in the observation of World Children’s Day, which is UNICEF’s global day of action for children.

“The foundation for a better tomorrow must be built on promoting greater respect for and enforcement of children’s rights, providing adequate protection, care and strengthening children’s education. The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is committed to promoting the rights of every child,” Ali was quoted as saying in a statement issued by UNICEF Guyana.

According to the statement, Ali, in a message to mark the occasion, also highlighted that Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child and that the government is also wholeheartedly committed to the rights and principles of the declaration.

Observing that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected children’s lives, Ali also stated that the government has moved to mitigate the impact, with education being a key element to ensure a better future for children. “As we celebrate World Children’s Day 2020, I urge all Guyanese to join with our government in helping to promote the rights of the child, provide improved protection and care for them and to strengthen their education,” he added.

In observance of World Children’s Day, State House, the official residence of the President and First Family, and the United Nations House, were lit up in blue in support of children’s rights.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Reimagining a better world for every child.”

According to the statement, UNICEF Representative Irfan Akhtar welcomed the government’s renewed commitment, while noting that the UNICEF’s ‘Reimagine’ campaign calls on partners, governments, and all UNICEF supporters to build a better post pandemic world.

“Children and young people must be included in decisions that affect their future,” Akhtar stated before calling on all partners to accelerate action for children in several areas including ensuring that all children learn and closing the digital divide. He also urged measures to keep children healthy by ensuring access to primary healthcare and make vaccines affordable and available to every child as well as support to protect the mental health of children and young people and bring an end to abuse, gender-based violence and neglect in childhood.

Further, the statement said he highlighted areas for action as there is need to increase access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, address climate change, reverse child poverty and ensure an inclusive recovery for all. “We have a critical window of opportunity to reverse this child rights crisis and reimagine a better future for children,” Akhtar said.

In addition to the president, several government ministers joined in the observance of World Children’s Day by sending out their own celebratory messages. Among them was Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud, who called on all to reimagine a world where every child is invested in, where their safety is guaranteed and where they know their future is limitless. She also outlined the work her ministry will be doing to meet those goals. Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that investment in children is a priority in the country’s developmental agenda and that Guyana’s Constitution recognises the welfare of children as paramount, while noting that this binds the State and all government and State agencies when considering the interest of children, to ensure that the welfare of the child receives the top consideration.

Meanwhile, the statement said the Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission Aleema Nasir urged everyone to ensure that children’s rights are observed and advised parents to listen to their children, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

First Lady, Arya Ali, in her message, also echoed the call to reimagine and design a world for children that is more just and more resilient.

Apart from the celebratory messages, young Guyanese from across the country shared their vision of the future they wish to see, in illustrations and in video messages sent to UNICEF Guyana in celebration of World Children’s Day. These can be viewed on its Facebook page.

World Children’s Day takes place every year on November 20th, the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. On this day, UNICEF advocates and raises awareness for the most pressing issues facing children.