UNICEF, GFF, RCC conclude child safeguarding workshop for football stakeholders

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC), recently concluded a two-day Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Safeguarding sensitisation workshop for football coaches, referees and key football officials from Regions Three, Four and Five.
The workshop was held at Cara Lodge Hotel in Georgetown and formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen child safeguarding mechanisms within football while ensuring that children and adolescents participating in the sport are protected from violence, abuse, exploitation and maltreatment.

Recognising the risks that can exist in sporting environments, UNICEF supported capacity-building sessions tailored for coaches, referees, GFF personnel and RCC representatives who have safeguarding oversight responsibilities. The sessions focused on child safeguarding principles, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, international standards, professional conduct and expected behaviour in youth sport settings.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, UNICEF Representative of Guyana and Suriname, Anna Valente, emphasised the importance of safeguarding frameworks and continuous education for adults who work with children in sport.
She noted that every child has the right to participate in recreational and sporting activities in safe environments that are free from abuse and exploitation. Valente also stressed that child safeguarding is a shared responsibility and highlighted the important role coaches and referees play as trusted figures in protecting the welfare of children.
According to Valente, children must also be empowered with knowledge of their rights and provided with safe, accessible and confidential mechanisms through which they can report concerns or seek support.

Rights of the Child Commission Chairperson Aleema Nasir also underscored the importance of creating safe sporting spaces for young people. She reminded participants that children cannot fully realise their potential if they do not feel secure and encouraged all stakeholders to take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously.
GFF President Wayne Forde said the federation remains committed to ensuring football environments throughout Guyana are safe, inclusive and protective spaces for children and young people.
Forde stated that the GFF has a responsibility to ensure that the rights of children are respected, protected and upheld by everyone involved in their development and supervision. He described safeguarding as a shared responsibility across the football community and welcomed the federation’s collaboration with UNICEF and the Rights of the Child Commission.
The sensitisation sessions were aligned with international child protection standards, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF’s Child Safeguarding Policy and its Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
Organisers noted that while sport provides valuable opportunities for children to develop teamwork, leadership, discipline, resilience and problem-solving skills, global reports have highlighted vulnerabilities that can arise in sporting environments. These include sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, trafficking and other harmful practices linked to weaknesses in safeguarding systems and unequal power dynamics.
The GFF, UNICEF and RCC said they will continue working together on initiatives aimed at strengthening child protection and safeguarding systems within football while promoting safe sporting environments that support the wellbeing and development of children across Guyana.