THE Chairperson, Mrs. Aleema Nasir has disclosed that the Rights of the Child Commission (ROC) met with several stakeholders last week and now has a clear vision on its logistical operations. Among others, they had discussions with Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon and had an internal meeting afterwards, she reported.
“So far, we have made progress as a fairly new commission,” Nasir said.
She said the ROC has crafted its action plan and clarified major financing issues on the way forward to overseeing and reporting on children and their circumstances.
About what impact the Commission expects to make to change, she said: “People have the wrong impression of the ROC’s role. We will not recreate the wheel but we will be heard.” Nasir stressed.
She said among the several priority initiatives to be rolled out, primary is increased awareness and sensitisation to the part the ROC must play.
Nasir said outreaches are planned in all the administrative regions and the ROC’s website should be up and running soon.
She announced that, to give a further push to the 2011 work programme, a poster competition will be staged to choose the ROC logo.
“We are doing several things. We have already visited several children’s homes. Our job is to oversee and report but we cannot do that if we are not familiar with the current state of affairs,” Nasir posited.
Nasir said there are several major interventions planned, which will be aimed at ensuring that children’s interests are represented and their rights are protected.
According to her, the Commission is poised to implement several initiatives this year but, in moving forward, partnership with key stakeholders is a must and the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) is one of its leading supporters.
The current Chairperson and 12 other members were sworn in during May last year. Since then, two Commissioners have resigned and three new appointments have been made.
At present there are 14 Commissioners. Apart form Nasir, the others are Ms. Pamela Nauth and Ms. Yvonne Fox (representing Service organisations); Mr. Kwame McCoy (Ministry of Human Services and Social Security); Ms. Sarojanie Rambarran and Ms. Colleen Anthony (religious organisations); Ms. Michelle Kalamadeen and Ms. Suelle Findlay-Williams (youth organisations); Ms. Sandra Hooper, Ms. Rosemary Benjamin-Noble (women’s organisations) and Ms. Shirley Ferguson (National Commission on the Rights of the Child.)
The newest additions to the ROC  are Ms. Marissa Massiah (youth organisations), Ms. Hyacinth Massay (other) and Mrs. Bibi Shariman Ali (Assistant Chief Education Officer, Primary).
Nasir said the ultimate aim of the ROC is to focus efforts on building a strong landscape for children.