‘CHILD Protection Week’ offers an opportunity for the world to take stock of its children and to seriously re-examine whether enough is being done to improve their lot. Unfortunately, a cursory glance at the current situation reveals that many children across the globe are being deprived of basic rights such as the right to proper nutrition and health care, the right to education and the right to leisure. “Globally, millions of children are suffering from child poverty, child trafficking and many are still deprived of the right to go to school. Problems like those I have mentioned erode childhood and strip children of their basic rights embedded in the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” UNICEF Representative in Armenia, Laylee Moshiri said, welcoming young delegates who represented schools of Yerevan.
“Governments, of course, do bear primary responsibility for accomplishment of children’s rights, as well as communities where those children live…However, if children themselves do not speak out for their rights, if they remain passive holders of their rights and not active right claimers, hardly any government, community, or parent will be able to properly consider children’s needs and aspirations,” the UNICEF Representative stressed.
Children need to be proactive and bold in expressing their views and opinions on issues affecting them.
The underlying causes of the suffering of children are many and in many instances are intertwined – including unstable families, domestic violence, sexual molestation, poor parenting and, of course, poverty.
According to UNICEF, a new report has warned that the changing nature of conflict, including terrorism and the war on terror, are increasing the suffering of children like never before.
Globally, it is estimated that more than one billion children live in countries or territories affected by conflict – 300 million are under the age of five.
With the changing nature of armed conflict, the impact of war on children and young people is becoming more brutal than ever, UNICEF Australia Chief Executive, Carolyn Hardy said. “Children are affected by the proliferation of small arms and armed groups, landmines and unexploded ordnances, as well as terrorism and counterterrorism measures,” she said.
What is an ironic and a most cruel reality is the fact that amidst all this suffering of children, the world still finds more than US$600 billion annually to spend on arms and ammunition.
It is unconscionable that such huge sums of money are being spent for military purposes and unnecessary wars instead of spending to alleviate the suffering of children.
In Guyana, despite limited human and financial resources, special attention is being paid to the welfare and development of children by the government.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand recently noted: “Every day across Guyana we are looking after Guyana’s children, and that has seen several (pieces of) legislation being passed in the National Assembly to deal with the way children are treated in society, and what is expected from government and society as a whole.”
In an address to young Armenian delegates, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon summed it up well: “We need to harness the spirit of youth around the world to address the tough challenges we are facing.  Extraordinary times create extraordinary opportunities for change.  This is such a moment. Help us meet the trials of our age and shape the world for good.”

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