Abu Dhabi: The Interior ministry is to hold a forum, on April 21, to discuss the protection of women and children, officials announced yesterday.

The one-day forum will bring together institutions supporting the protection of women and children, from across the UAE.

Over 150 entities representing different ministries, government departments, organisations and civil society institutions are expected to participate besides dignitaries, experts and researchers in the field of family, women, and children's issues.

"The event aims to reinforce the aspects of cooperation and coordination, attain best practice and reach a true partnership in order to care for the rights of women and children and support family issues in UAE," Brigadier Ahmad Mohammad Nakhira Al Muharami, the Head of the Human Rights Department at the Interior ministry said at a press conference yesterday.

Exhibition

His department is hosting the event under the patronage of Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior minister.

An exhibition will also be organised along the sidelines of the forum, showcasing various publications related to the theme of the event.

The UAE leadership has always attached importance to safeguarding fundamental rights and freedom, guaranteed by Islam which is a religion based on justice, equality and tolerance, Brigadier Al Nakhira added.

Human rights: UN official to visit

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay will visit the UAE on April 23, as part of her visit to all the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The two-day visit is part of a ten-day schedule from 17-26 April, in an unprecedented effort by the UN human rights office to engage more actively with the governments and civil society in the region. It is the first time any High Commissioner for Human Rights has visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman. The UAE will be her fifth stop.

"She will seek to gain first-hand understanding of current dynamics in the GCC region in relation to human rights, including reported progress in some areas as well as specific issues of particular concern," a statement issued by the UN said.

Pillay will also examine ways in which her office can provide further support and advice to the individual GCC countries.