UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) on Monday committed to strengthened relations with the Rights of the Child Commission.
The commitment was made at a meeting the Commission Chair, Mrs. Aleema Nasir had with UNICEF Country Representative, Dr. Suleiman Braimoh in his Brickdam, Georgetown office where he also congratulated her on her election to the position. Braimoh, in the reaffirmation to support the Government in the fulfillment of the rights of the child, told Nasir: “We are confident that, through your work and that of the Commission, there would be continued effort in building a strong landscape for children on many fronts.”

Such fronts includes legislation, policy, robust programme planning and implementation, the diplomat said.

Braimoh acknowledged that the Commission is one of four such bodies constituted to help strengthen social justice and the rule of law.
He said: “We are aware that this constitutional commission, by virtue of its mandate, will face a series of challenges and will need to address several issues to become fully operational, efficient and effective.”
In that context, Braimoh said, in accordance with the agreed programme of cooperation with the Guyana Government, UNICEF will support the Commission to identify its capacity and operational needs and provide the necessary support.

Nasir expressed her appreciation for the pledge by the UN agency and noted:
“UNICEF has supported the work of the past committee on rights of the child and they have supported programmes and such. We do need their support, especially in technical areas.”
She revealed that the Commission, at a meeting on May 11 , will specifically address the way forward, after which UNICEF assistance will be solicited.
“After the meeting we will invite them and UNICEF will see where they can support the work we have mapped out,” Nasir said.
She said the Commission will be taking a stronger stance to address pertinent issues affecting Guyana’s children.
“We are a new commission and we don’t want to just sit back. We want to get off with a bang,” Nasir declared.
She observed that, in order to do so, the right partnerships need to be forged.
“I think there is going to be a huge partnership that will reach a far way to address the rights of children.” she said.
The Commission is tasked with ensuring that the rights and interests of children are taken into account at all levels of Government, other public bodies and private organisations.
Apart from Nasir and Mrs. Bibi Shariman Ali, Assistant Chief Education Officer Primary, the other Commissioners are Ms. Pamela Nauth and Ms. Yvonne Fox (representing service organisations); Mr. Kwame Mc Coy (representing the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security); Ms. Sarojanie Rambarran and Ms. Colleen Anthony (representing religious organisations); Ms. Marissa Massiah, Ms. Michelle Kalamadeen and Ms. Suelle Findlay-Williams (representing youth organisations); Ms. Sandra Hooper and Ms. Rosemary Benjamin-Noble (representing women’s organisations); Ms. Hyacinth Massay (other) and Ms. Shirley Ferguson (representing the National Commission on the Rights of the Child.)
Nasir said the Right of the Child Commission partnership with UNICEF is quintessential for the advancement of the Commission’s mandate.