Committee against bullying holds first meeting

Abu Dhabi: The National Committee for the prevention of bullying in schools held its first meeting in collaboration with Unicef.

The meeting, chaired by Reem Abdullah Eisa Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, that was held on Tuesday at the Women’s Union headquarters, emphasised the importance of discussing the increasing phenomenon of violence and bullying that some schoolchildren indulge in.

The committee meeting was held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union , Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

Reem said bullying hampers the physical and mental development of children and its negative consequences continue until later in life.

Speaking about why programmes to fight bullying in schools should be developed, she said, “The prevention of bullying ensures children’s right to education and their protection from all forms of violence, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the National Strategy for Childhood and Motherhood, which the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood adheres to.”