The Government, together with some of its key partners, is developing a “Children’s Manifesto”, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud announced this morning at a World Children’s Day Forum.
Thr forum was held today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, and it was held under the theme “My Day, My Rights.”
Minister Persaud said 35 years after the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Children was brought into effect, there are still gaps remaining globally, although children account for 30 percent of the world’s population.
She said the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Human Services intends to address issues that continue to confront Guyanese children.
“This manifesto will be created by you. It will focus on your thoughts, your needs, your wants,” Minister Persaud told the children present.
For her, children must not only have access to education and health services, but must be safe, secure, and free from discrimination. She said the reality is some children are victims of bullying and abuse but are too afraid to speak.
“But what are we seeing out there? We are seeing a number of children experiencing bullying, violence and abuse. Sometimes we see it but many times we don’t see it because it is hidden, it is hidden to such an extent that children are afraid, they are terrified that something is going wrong with me. Something is happening to me,” the Human Services Minister said.
Government, she said, remains committed to safeguarding children and their rights.
UNICEF Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Gabriel Vockel said UNICEF continues to work with governments across the world to ensure children are healthy, educated and protected, and Guyana is no different.
He said since his deployment to Guyana just over a year ago, he has been on the ground interacting with children from across the country, learning about them, and the challenges that confront them with the intention of putting forward solutions.
“UNICEF we care deeply about working with governments around the world including of course the government here in Guyana to make sure that we can put in place the right laws, the right methodologies, the right envelope of money to ensure that the solutions for children can become real,” Vockel said.
Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission, Aleema Nasir said this year’s theme “My Day, My Rights” is a powerful call to action for adults to truly listen to children and understand the issues affecting them.
Nasir said it is a call for policy makers, community leaders, educators, and all involved to move beyond the mere listing of children’s rights, and address the gaps.
“My Day, My Rights mean that we must move beyond simply reciting the list of rights. We must ask, are your rights being upheld in your classrooms? Are they missing in your community? Are they being denied in your home? We must hear their answers because only by listening to the reality of our children can we truly assess the gaps of implementation whether those gaps involve access to quality education or protection from violence,” she explained.
Those in authority, she added, must ensure that decisions taken are in the best interest of children as required by Article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. She warned that success of the Sustainable Development Goal (SGG) is dependent on the well-being of children.
For child advocate, Alex Taylor, the day presents an opportunity for adults to truly listen to children.
“This World’s Children Day marks a powerful moment for all children across the globe. Building on 36 years of growth, this year continues to spread the unified global approach on all fronts – an approach which celebrates children voices, prioritizes their natural rights, and adopts to the unique realities of each nation. Following the theme “My Day, My Rights,” World Children’s Day 2025 aims to transform into true child’s forum – designed by children, for children, where policy makers, leaders and communities are called to not only participate but also listen, reflect upon and act,” Taylor told those present.
The forum presented children with the opportunity to express themselves through art but through discussions with policy makers.
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