Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed has said that protecting the rights of the child is a top priority among legal systems as well as at an international level.
The Vice President made this statement at a children’s festival held to mark “World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse: Every Neglect is an Abuse” at Sultan Park this evening. The event was conducted by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and supported by the Ministry of Education, Department of Gender and Family, Maldives Police Service, Care Society, ARC, CAPS, Maldives Autism Association, Maldives Red Crescent and Tiny Hearts.
During his speech the Vice President said he was encouraged by the initiative taken by the Maldives Human Rights Commission along with other affiliating NGO’s to mark this day in the Maldives. The Vice President highlighted upon the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is an international treaty that recognizes the human rights of children, and said the Maldives had signed this Convention.
In his speech, the Vice President encouraged governments and communities and society organizations to give more thought to protecting children today. The Vice President urged to focus attention on this difficult problem and to increase awareness and education in protecting the needs of children.
In his speech the Vice President stated that in order for children to grow up in a healthy environment they must be informed of their rights. The Vice President further urged on the importance of effective communication in an accessible and active manner to enable children to develop to their full potential.
The Vice President expressed his delight in the fact that so many NGO’s have come together to raise awareness about this significant public health problem and to stop violence against children.
