Using art as a vehicle of self-expression, children from all walks of life recently converged at the Georgetown Seawall to speak out against violence, abuse and discrimination.
The activity was held Nov 23 at the Georgetown Seawall between Pere Street and Vlissengen Road. It was hosted by the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) in collaboration with the Guyana Girl Guides Association, Youths for Guyana, Youth Challenge Guyana, the interim Guyana National Youth Council and Society against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD).
GEF is a network of civil society groups working cohesively to achieve equality and realise human rights for all Guyanese and is currently chaired by Red Thread while SASOD serves as its administrative secretariat.
The mural painting activity was held in observance of Universal Children’s Day, which was observed globally on November 20.
GEF held the mural painting activity under the theme, “Speak out against violence, abuse and discrimination”. Remarks were made by Childcare and Protection Agency Director, Ann Greene, and UNICEF Representative to Guyana, Marianne Flach. They both commended GEF on hosting successful activity and alluded to the fact that art was a very effective way to engage children.
A number of children and volunteers attended the event, including the Guyana Girl Guides Association, Youths for Guyana, Youth Challenge Guyana, the Guyana National Youth Council, St. Ann’s Anglican Youth Group and SASOD.
“Art is a powerful means of expression, and this is especially so for children, who may sometimes not have the right words to express what they are thinking and feeling. This activity is an excellent way of encouraging children to express themselves through art, and in a way that is prominent and visible to all. UNICEF applauds your efforts in encouraging the participation of children through this activity,” UNICEF representative Marianne Flach noted at the event.
“Children’s participation is fundamental and theirs is a necessary “voice” for us to listen to as stated in Articles 12 and 13 of the CRC. As we listen to children in Guyana, we hear them saying that they want love from their parents, and protection from all other adults who are near to them. And we hear teenagers saying that they want adults to listen to them and value their opinion, but that we should also not forget that they are still children who need love and protection. In essence, it reminds us that children have the right to freedom of expression, including access to information, and the right to express their views freely in all matters affecting them,” she also noted. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
