Maat for Peace, Development, and Human Rights recently concluded a training workshop titled "Committee on Rights of the Child: Action and Participation Mechanisms," which took place on April 20 and 21, 2024, at Maat headquarters. The workshop was attended by a group of organizations and individuals specializing in children rights. Its agenda covered an introduction to articles of Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC), as well as optional protocols associated with Convention, including Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC), Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and Protocol on complaints procedures.

The primary objective of this training workshop was to empower participants about functions and operational mechanisms of Committee on the Rights of the Child. It aimed to provide civil society organizations with insights into their role in Committee's work and equip them with the skills needed to draft reports to be submitted to treaty bodies, with a specific focus on Committee on Rights of the Child. Maat concluded the training workshop with a simulation exercise to simulate the participation of civil society organizations in Committee work. This initiative is part of the Association’s efforts to enhance civil society organizations capacities, raise awareness about international mechanisms for safeguarding human rights, and strengthen their ability to engage effectively with United Nations treaty bodies.

It is important to highlight that this training workshop is a part of the activities undertaken by Civil Civil Society Organizations Coalition for Universal Periodic Review. Ayman Okeil, a human rights expert and Chairman of Maat for Peace, Development, and Human Rights, emphasized the significance of continuing Coalition activities and its focus on international contractual and non-contractual mechanisms which protect human rights, in light of supporting and empowering civil society organizations for improving human rights conditions at the national level. Furthermore, it is worth noting that Maat has consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2016, granting it the right to participate in the activities of international human rights mechanisms.