Dubai: Dubai has embraced a new policy to protect children against all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect, and offer support and special care to those in need.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, has approved the child protection policy in the emirate.
The policy, prepared by the Community Development Authority's (CDA) Research and Policy Department, aims to provide protection to Emirati and expatriate children who are under the age of 18 and live permanently or temporarily in Dubai through an integrated system that ensures delivery of best services, criteria and mechanisms for protection and care of children.
The policy aims to protect all children in Dubai from all forms of violence, negligence, abuse and exploitation and to provide them with assistance and care for those in need.
Strategic commitment
Khalid Al Kamda, Director-General of the Community Development Authority, said the policy underlines the authority's commitment to Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 which calls for provision of proper social services to meet the requirements of the local community and realise dignity, equality and justice among its various segments.
He noted the policy was a fruit of in-depth analysis of the child's reality in the emirate of Dubai after conducting a series of consultations with government and non-government agencies, and international organisations specialising on children's issues.
Al Kamda stressed that the UAE government gives child-related issues a priority out of its clear commitment to offering the optimal environment for the child growth and protection of his rights.
"The authority's initiative in preparing this policy aims to coordinate current efforts and make the best use of available resources to develop an integrated and comprehensive system compatible with the requirements of the International Convention on Children's Rights to which the UAE became a signatory in 1997, Al Kamda said.
He pointed out that parents were also polled to probe the most pressing concerns facing them.
Best Gulf, regional and international protection practices were also examined so as to hammer out this strategy.
The law will define mechanisms of governance, action and coordination among stakeholders.
