Abu Dhabi: When subjected to domestic violence, being denied their rights to education and health care, and in any form of mistreatment in society or in schools, children can complain to the Ministry of Interior, an official from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) told Gulf News on Thursday.
Speaking at the ‘My Rights and Responsibilities’ stall of Emirati Children’s Day, Essam Ali, social policy specialist at the Unicef, said, “In case of abuse at home, which is called domestic violence, children are protected under the Wudeema law, so they should know how to complain to the authorities concerned so that their rights are protected.”
More than 200 Emirati children from different schools in the country gathered in Abu Dhabi to mark the first Emirati Children’s Day at Umm Al Emarat Park where officials and professionals from different walks of life educated them about their role in society, their rights and responsibilities.
“We told them that they too have rights, like adults, in all sectors including education, health, safety and protection in society and at home,” Ali said.
Ali said that all institutions which work with children in the UAE will have to create a ‘Child Protection Facility’ on their premises so that children can put forth their complaints to officials directly.
“Bylaws have been drafted and, upon approval, will be enforced,” Ali said.
At various interactive stalls, children were taught about their social responsibilities which include media [its uses and abuses], environment, children’s rights and responsibilities, patriotism, tolerance, creativity, literacy, arts, music, sports and yoga.
Children were also taught about the pros and cons of television, internet and mobile phones, which are part of daily life.
Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Supreme Chairwoman of Family Development Foundation, declared March 15 to be marked as Emirati Children’s Day each year. It also marks the date of publishing the Child Rights Law (Wudeema) in the official gazette in 2016, to fortify commitments towards the rights of all national and expatriate children in the UAE.
Saeed Al Mamari, Abu Dhabi TV presenter, held an interactive session at the media stall with a dozen students who all professed a love for watching television and accessing social media sites every day.
“Parental guidance is a key factor in monitoring the activities of children on chat groups and websites. They regularly should be explained about its uses and abuses,” Al Mamari said.
Aisha Hareb, soldier in National Service of the UAE Armed Forces, engaged students on the topic of patriotism. “Students should understand the value of being a citizen and their role in the society to protect it and contribute towards its development,” she said.
Students shared their views on the use of media, digital devices and their role and responsibilities.
An 11-year-old student from Al Nakhba School in Dubai, Ahmad Fadil, said, “Each day, I use the laptop to watch cartoons and movies on YouTube. My parents told me about the dangers on the internet so I don’t have my account on any social media sites.
“I was told that children under 18 are not allowed to use social media sites,” Fadil added.
Zayed Khamis, a 16-year-old from Al Dhafra School, said, “I want to be a doctor to contribute to my country. I learnt that every individual should contribute to the nation through his/her own profession.”
Hamdan Al Naqbi, a six-year-old pupil at the Arts stall, was busy painting the picture of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on a T-shirt. He said, “I love Baba Zayed and am painting his picture.”
Wudeema law
Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 concerning child rights, also known as Wudeema law, stresses that all children must be provided with appropriate living standards, access to health services, education, equal opportunities in essential services and facilities without any kind of discrimination. The law protects children against all forms of negligence, exploitation, physical and psychological abuses.
Children can report violence against them on the Ministry of Interior’s hotline number 116111 and 023333999 or they can email Childprotection@moi-cpc.gov.ae
