"Union for Human Rights": The UAE is an exceptional global model in child protection

Abu Dhabi, 19 November / WAM / The Union Society for Human Rights confirmed that the UAE continues to consolidate its position as an exceptional global model in protecting children and safeguarding their comprehensive rights, based on a pioneering legislative and institutional system, and a national vision inspired by the directives of the wise leadership, in line with the “UAE Vision 2031” and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The association said, in a statement on the occasion of World Children’s Day, which falls on November 20 of each year, and this year carries the slogan “My Day, My Rights,” that the successes achieved in this field reflect the integration of national policies with societal and institutional efforts to protect and develop childhood.

The statement reviewed a package of pioneering legislation and institutions, most notably Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 regarding children’s rights, “Wadeema,” the National Policy for Child Protection in Educational Institutions, the National Policy for Child Protection in Sports Authorities in Abu Dhabi, the establishment of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the Ministry of Interior’s Center for Child Protection, the Emirati Parliament for Children, the Children’s Advisory Council, and the Sharjah Children’s Shura Council.

In the context of child protection in the digital environment, the association referred to the Emirates Smart System, which includes the “Hemayati” application, the free protection line, and the “Children’s Digital Quality of Life Charter,” which was launched during the 2025 World Government Summit, in addition to awareness campaigns such as “Artificial Intelligence for Safer Children,” “Together for a Safer Internet for Our Children,” “Electronic Security Ambassadors,” and “Their Early Years Divide,” as well as the “Parents’ Guide to Protecting Children on the Internet,” and the Children’s Digital Government Platform. “KidX”.

She pointed to the supportive legislative frameworks, including designating “Emirati Children’s Day” on March 15 of each year, and issuing federal laws: No. (6) of 2022 regarding juvenile offenders and those at risk of delinquency, No. “24” of 2022 regarding people of unknown parentage, No. “24” of 2023 regarding combating human trafficking, and No. “13” of 2024 regarding protection from domestic violence. In addition to issuing the National Family Policy, the Family Protection Policy, and the National Policy for Digital Quality of Life, providing free and compulsory education up to secondary school for citizens, and ensuring equal educational opportunities for residents, people of determination, and low-income families.

At the local level, the association highlighted the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority in training more than 1,800 qualified child protection specialists from the educational cadres within the “Dama Al-Aman” program. It also launched initiatives such as the “Abu Dhabi Thriving Child Index” and the “Wad” global initiative for early childhood development, in addition to the Authority winning the “Inspiring Workplaces” award in the Middle East and Africa region for the year 2025, which reflects a stimulating work environment for child protection.

She also referred to pioneering cultural initiatives in the country, such as the “Khalifa Award for Creative Children’s Storytelling” and the “International Award for Arab Children’s Literature.”

On the international side, the association explained that the UAE is leading qualitative efforts in the context of protecting children. The Ministry of Interior’s leadership included an international operation that included 14 countries during which it rescued 165 children and closed 28 criminal networks, in addition to other efforts undertaken by the country, including hosting the “We Protect” 2024 global summit, as well as partnerships with the United Nations within the “AI4SC” project, which aims to raise the capabilities of all countries in the world in the field of protecting children from abuse and exploitation via the Internet, the global alliance “WePROTECT,” and the force. Virtual Global Protection of Children from Online Sexual Exploitation (VGT), supporting humanitarian initiatives to protect 30,000 children in Zanzibar and Mexico, and launching projects to protect refugee and migrant children in Morocco.

The association confirmed that the UAE is one of the most prominent countries supporting education and health globally, by funding education programs for more than 20 million children in 59 countries, providing $100 million to the Global Partnership for Education in Developing Countries, supporting specific programs such as “Global Apprenticeship” and the “Future Skills Academy” that aim to educate 10 million people by 2030, financing 1.3 billion dirhams for campaigns to eradicate polio within the “Reaching the Last Mile” initiative, and providing health care for more than 1,000 children through the “River of Life” Fund, and hosting more than 2,961 injured people, cancer patients, and children from Gaza in state hospitals, in addition to establishing the Zayed Center for Research into Rare Diseases in Children in London, and opening 10 maternal and child health centers in Afghanistan.

The Society pointed to Dubai Humanitarian data, which revealed that children were the group most affected by conflicts and disasters in 2024, as food aid directed to them quadrupled to reach $19 million, and educational aid rose to $1.2 million, which reflects the deep humanitarian dimension of the UAE’s efforts.

The association confirmed that these efforts culminated in the selection of the UAE as the first Arab country to join the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children, a culmination of its journey since its accession in 1997 to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and in 2016 to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children and their exploitation in prostitution and pornography.

She indicated that the UAE has achieved advanced positions in international indicators, including sixth place in the world with a score of 0.996, in the “KidsRights Index -2025” report, which confirms the quality of health services provided to children, and the high rates of health coverage, vaccinations, and preventive and curative care.

The UAE also achieved a score of 0.951 in the right to life and survival, which is one of the highest rates in the world, which reflects the low rates of child mortality and the level of advanced health care provided to mothers and newborns.

In the field of protection, the UAE obtained a score of 0.930, confirming the effectiveness of national legislation and procedures that limit child labor, ensure birth registration, and protect against exploitation and violations.

In the field of education, the country recorded a score of 0.848, driven by a noticeable improvement in expected years of schooling and an increase in girls’ participation in education.

These results highlight the UAE’s continued commitment to providing an environment supportive of children’s growth and well-being, and reflect its direction in building an integrated system that enhances children’s rights and supports their quality of life.

The Union Society for Human Rights confirmed that choosing the year 2025 as the “Year of the Community” and declaring the year 2026 to be the “Year of the Family” embody the Emirati vision of building a cohesive and sustainable society, and place child well-being and family empowerment at the heart of national and humanitarian development.

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