THE Administration’s trend of ground-breaking developments in social security and child protection awareness continues as Guyana becomes the first country in the Caribbean region to produce postage stamps depicting the internationally recognized rights of children.

The accomplishment is the result of coordinated, collaborative efforts of several agencies responsible for the welfare of civil society. Through the resources of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 1000 Guyanese children between the ages of  7 and 16 focused on the Articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Recognizing the spirit of collaboration, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, who is credited with reinforcing the institutional capacity of the Ministry, especially in the area of supporting legislation, indicated that at the top of Government’s agenda is to develop all communities.

She noted that the ministry was pleased to collaborate with the GPOC to launch the stamps and highlighted the presence of Everal Franklin, MP of the GAP/ROAR political party, whose activism and support of the Ministry’s programmes and promotion of the rights of children is evidence that there is a unified approach towards the application of government services.

In this regard, she highlighted that the six pieces of legislation presented on child welfare issues were unanimously passed in the National Assembly, as the nation works toward the protection of children.

She also called attention to the usefulness of the Child Protection Agency, which has been working daily to address every individual report of child abuse, registered either through walk-ins or the recently launched hotline, expressing commendations to all officers of the agency and its coordinator Anne Greene.

With the benefit of the law and a strong functional agency, the Minister posited that the next critical piece of the package is the process of implementation of the law, stating that, “We have much to be proud of, but much has been done. The proper implementation of the legislation will ensure that these are not just words on a fancy paper. Every person has to become a child protector.”

She pointed to the Administration’s involvement of children in national consultations, noting that the logo being used for the Child Protection Agency was designed by a child. This agency serves as a model for other similar entities being established elsewhere in the Caribbean.

She therefore called on stakeholders to become familiar with the material, since greater understanding of the legislation will lead to speedy implementation of the many systems that need to be put in place for success.

The Minister noted that while Government welcomes healthy criticism, it also reserves the right to correct misrepresentations, noting that the time spent answering and responding to criticisms reduces that time that can be spent doing positive things for the country.
She outlined the Administration’s record on child welfare, with many of the resulting policies and entities becoming models used by other countries, now patterning practices in child protection.

Addressing the significance of the children’s stamp competition, the Minister highlighted the fact that one of the winners is a seven year old male, an indication that Government’s thrust towards mass awareness of the importance of child rights is reaching all demographics. She said, “We have already started the change in Guyana.”

Minister Manickchand encouraged the participation of young boys and men in civil society and cautioned that all should avoid the politicization of issues related to women and children in relation to abuse.

In this regard, she referred to the spirit of collaboration that is manifesting in Guyana and pointed out that, “For every report addressed and complaint fixed, a life is helped and a family is saved. We should all leave here saying, ‘What can I do to assist government in implementing child protection legislation’. If the only thing is to tell someone of their rights, this is significant, we spread the word that all need to be child protectors.”

Also present was Trevor Thomas, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security; Bishop Juan Edghill, Chairman of the GPOC; Shirley Ferguson, Coordinator of the Child Rights Division within the Ministry; Dr. Suleiman Braimoh, UNICEF country representative for Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago; as well as ministry staff, other officials of the United Nations, students, Postmaster General Henry Dundas and directors of the GPOC.
Minister Manickchand formally launched the stamps and encouraged usage for postage and private collections.
The rights chosen for depiction were: the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, the right to live with a family and not remain in an institution, the right to be protected from drugs and the drug trade and the right not to witness domestic violence.
The winners were Lucas Jonas, aged 7, Bibi Sarah Ali, 12 years old, Deborah DeCamp 14 and Shamar Spencer 15 years.
(GINA)