RCC concerned about spike in child abuse cases in Guyana

The Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) has expressed concerns over published records from the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) highlighting an increase in child abuse cases for the first quarter of 2020.
The Agency had put together statistics garnered for the first three months of the year, and it showed a worrying upsurge of abuse-related cases involving children. As such, the RCC issued a statement on Thursday, noting that these situations have been compounded and exacerbated by the existential threat of COVID-19 to both children and care-givers.
“Note is also taken by RCC of the efforts of various stakeholders in responding to this situation, and recommends a more concerted and collaborative approach. The RCC believes that the considerable threat to life imposed by COVID-19 must be met with the continued resolve of all stakeholders to keep our children safe. Such safety must involve protection from a deadly virus as well as from any form of mistreatment and abuse while they are at home,” the Commission identified.
A recent report titled “Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020”, which was produced by the World Health Organization in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO and other entities, states that violence still affects the lives of up to one billion children, with long-lasting and costly emotional, social and economic consequences.
As such, the Commission said, a collaborative effort can reduce these high numbers and create better environments for youths.
“Together with these international agencies, we must all reaffirm a commitment to preserving the protection of the rights of Guyana’s children. These can be achieved by continuing to observe laws which protect children; establishing values and norms to promote child rights; creating safe environments for children; enabling parent and care- giver support; providing social protection services; fostering economic stability, and promoting education and life skills capacity. All of these actions are relevant to a societal approach to protecting children.”
It went on to shed light on two recent incidents wherein pregnant teenagers died in Guyana. Rehana Rahaman from Karawab village in the Upper Pomeroon had collapsed and died, while Melissa Somah from New Amsterdam was murdered and her body was later fished from the Berbice River.
These deaths, the RCC said, heighten the focus “on the stark reality of children being mothers, and their unfortunate deaths”.
“The best interest of the child must be observed by all stakeholders at the level of the family, community and nationally. We must, at all times, seek to consider and act in a manner that accords with observing the rights of children.”
Additionally, while addressing the Education Ministry’s partial reopening of schools for examinations, calls were made for no child to be left behind. Just Wednesday, in Region One, there were reports of children being denied the opportunity to sit the assessment.
The Commission insisted, “The MoE to ensure that no child is left behind due to the fact of missed classes or total absence of schooling, and to enhance preparations for start of school in September, should challenges with COVID-19 continue.
“Particularly, the Commission is concerned with all students, whether in urban, rural or hinterland areas, being afforded the capacity to access adequate tuition and to benefit from equitable attention being paid to the myriad of needs of all.
“Students in all locations, depending on their circumstances, are being affected, and must all be catered for.”