Elaine Caminata, Youth Minister for Children’s Rights and Labor, organized an activity in connection with the Day of the Rights of the Child and Youth. The official celebration of the Rights of the Child is on November 20, but the Youth Parliament wanted to give extra attention to this theme and send a message to the young people.
The Youth Parliament focused on Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which addresses the child’s right to be heard. According to Youth Minister Elaine Caminata, every child has a voice, and young people should be able to express it freely.
At the same time, she believes that Aruba is already doing well in this area. As Youth Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, she will work hard this year to raise awareness so that young people know their rights and understand that their voices matter. At the end of the year, she will prepare and present a report to show what efforts have been made to inform young people about their right to be heard.
Jeven Albertus, a youth who attended the celebration of the Rights of the Child, said that children’s rights mean that children should be treated with love, treated with respect, helped with schoolwork, that they have the right to a home, the right to go to school, and the right to do all kinds of things. According to Jeven, more support is needed, because not all children receive love at home, and at school teachers should not tease or belittle children but teach them with care and affection.
Other youth who attended the celebration Jazenne Albertus believes there should be more focus on the ten key rights of the child. She feels that parents who are often away from home and leave their children alone or with grandparents do not always realize that this is not ideal. Parents must be more present, create more activities for their children, and provide a warm, loving environment for them.