Centre for Sport and Human Rights Appoints Head of Child Rights

Dorothy Rozga has been appointed Head of Child Rights at the Centre for Sport and Human Rights.

As part of its mission to work towards a world of sport that fully respects human rights by sharing knowledge, building capacity, and strengthening the accountability of all actors, the Centre is committed to promoting child rights and increasing youth representation within sport decision-making.

Rozga, an internationally recognised child rights advocate and expert, will lead the Centre’s developing work to advance promotion, protection, and safeguarding of children in the world of sports, as well as ensuring children have a voice in matters that affect them.

Commenting on her new role, Dorothy Rozga said:

"I’m delighted to be a part of the Centre’s efforts to mobilise collective action on the part of all actors in the ecosystem of sport: governments, sport governing bodies, event hosts, sponsors and broadcasters, NGOs and trade unions, UN agencies, athletes, and of course young people and children. Working together we will integrate child rights into all aspects of sport and this will be a big win for children across the globe."

CEO of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Mary Harvey, a FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, noted: 

“Millions of children and young people take part in sporting activities every day across the world, and they have the right to participate in sport in a safe and enjoyable environment. Unfortunately this is not always the case. The Centre, now bolstered by Dorothy’s extensive experience and expertise, will work with all actors to improve their child-focused performance, whether at the grassroots level or as part of preparations for mega-events.”

Prior to joining the Centre, Rozga was Executive Director of ECPAT International, a global network of civil society organisations working to end the sexual exploitation of children. Earlier she was the interim Executive Director of the African Child Policy Forum. Between 1981 and 2012 Dorothy served UNICEF in various capacities in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, India, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. At global level, she was responsible for the introduction of a Human Rights Based Approach to UNICEF’s Programming. Rozga was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica and Belize and served as Executive Director of Volunteer Services of Greater Kalamazoo. She currently serves as a senior advisor or Board Member of several international child rights organisations.