THE Rights of the Child Commission celebrated Universal Children’s Day yesterday by highlighting the “rights of children to the protection from all forms of exploitation.” 

Two of the Commissioners, Colleen Anthony and Marissa Massiah, distributed pamphlets and brochures at Lodge Secondary School yesterday afternoon in observation of the international day.

In collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Rights of the Child Commission was able to distribute several copies of a child-friendly version of the Convention on the Rights of a Child, called ‘My Rights and Responsibilities’ to students of Lodge Secondary School.
Anthony and Massiah distributed the pamphlets to sensitise children on their rights and responsibilities as part of the Commission’s contributions to Universal Children’s Day. Child Rights Commissioner Anthony explained that, “These pamphlets were revised to be more child-friendly so that children can read and understand their rights.”
She added: “We at the Commission want all Guyanese children to know that they have both rights and responsibilities. And further that they are entitled to the protection of those rights and responsibilities.”
This year the right to be protected from all forms of exploitation (Article 36 of the Convention) is being highlighted by the Rights of the Child Commission, in keeping with its focus to eliminate all forms of violence against children.
According to Child Rights Commissioner Massiah, “Many children are victims of violence but they suffer in silence, hence we are trying to create a society without stigma and discrimination for such children so that they can feel free to speak out.”
The two Commissioners led a discussion on the rights and responsibilities of children before they distributed the pamphlets along with brochures on the Child Rights Commission and the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, which was also observed yesterday.
Thoughts of the Children

Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle took the opportunity to speak with the students of Lodge Secondary School to highlight their thoughts on Universal Children’s Day.
Angellica Samuels said that she believes Universal Children’s Day is about, “expressing oneself as a child while ensuring that our rights are protected from all forms of abuse and taking the responsibility not to use drugs.”
Joshua Bascon on the other hand said he would utilise Universal Children’s Day to appeal for what he sees as necessities for a student. He said “we should get more learning equipment in schools. I believe that stationery should be free.”
Earlier this week the Rights of the Child Commission launched three child-friendly booklets based on recent legislation: the Adoption of Children Act (2009 and 2011,) the Custody, Contact, Guardianship and Maintenance Act 2011 and the Status of Children Act, Number 19 of 2009.
The booklets were the brain child of the late Child Rights Commissioner Shirley Ferguson and were produced by the Rights of the Child Commission, and the Child Rights Division, Childcare and Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security with technical and financial support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Written By Tash Van Doimen