A national system for protecting children and building a sustainable future

The UAE has strengthened its commitment to caring for children and protecting their rights, by issuing legislation that supports their growth and development of their full capabilities. The child protection system in the UAE includes aspects of health care, education and family support, to ensure that every child grows up in a stable and supportive environment. Many institutions and bodies across the country are making great efforts to achieve these goals, seeking to build a society in which children’s rights are a top priority. These efforts resulted in the country topping international indicators on children’s rights.

The integrated child protection system focuses on enhancing his psychological and physical well-being, and enabling him to participate effectively in society, by promoting the principle of child care in the social, medical and educational fields, raising community awareness of children’s rights, emphasizing the necessity of providing a supportive environment for him, and working to overcome challenges to provide him with a sustainable and safe future, and developing and refining his skills, in addition to increasing governmental and social efforts made to support him in various aspects of life.

National initiatives and legislation reflect the state’s vision to safeguard children’s rights and ensure their upbringing in an environment that stimulates creativity and innovation, most notably the Child Rights Law (Wadeema), which guaranteed their right to life, survival, basic rights, health, education, and intellectual protection, the adoption of the National Strategy for Motherhood and Childhood, and the establishment of the Ministry of the Family, the National Academy for Childhood, and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, to provide a wide range of services designed to promote and protect the well-being of children.

As an embodiment of the “right to participate,” March 15, 2019 witnessed the establishment of the UAE Children’s Parliament, which came in line with the state’s full commitment to supporting children’s rights, and to promote the effective participation of all children, including people of determination, their families, and institutions related to issues and topics related to them and to community development.

Acting President of the National Academy for Childhood Development, Dr. Mira Al Kaabi, said: “What we instill in our children is evident in the strength and cohesion of society and its path towards progress. The UAE has established an advanced system that upholds children’s rights and safeguards their well-being, based on a firm awareness that it is the solid beginnings that determine the quality of paths in the later stages.” This trend embodies the vision of the wise leadership, which considers investing in childhood to be the cornerstone of building human capital capable of continuing the path of sustainable development.”

Al-Kaabi stressed that enhancing specialized knowledge in the field of childhood, building the capabilities of cadres working with children and their families, and establishing evidence-based practices and best standards are an essential pillar to ensure a solid start for every child and enable him or her to have a promising future that contributes to supporting the nation’s development process.

Child protection

The UAE has designated a hotline to report cases of child abuse: 116111, and the Ministry of Education launched the “Child Protection Unit” initiative, which aims to protect school students from all types of violence and neglect that they may be exposed to at home or school, while the Ministry of Interior established the “Supreme Committee for Child Protection” center with the aim of launching and implementing child safety initiatives throughout the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry also launched the “Nidaa” digital service to inform Facebook users of missing children in their area and provide them with information. About them.

abayoumy@ey.ae