Manama: More than 135 children suffered abuses in Bahrain in 2009, the social development minister has said.
"According to the records, 27 children did not receive any care, eight were abused psychologically, 32 abused physically and 70 abused sexually," Dr Fatima Al Beloushi said.
The minister said that the promulgation of a law is an urgent necessity.
"A draft law is now being discussed at the Shura Council [upper chamber] and its focus on the state's interest in protecting children and offering them proper care and the adequate conditions that will ensure them a healthy upbringing," said Dr Fatima, the third woman minister to enter the cabinet.
According to Dr Fatima, the ministry will be the centralised authority to oversee the protection of children and the follow up in case they are abused physically, mentally, psychologically or sexually.
Bahrain in May 2007 opened the Bahrain Centre for Child Protection to help and care after children subject to ill-treatment, physical and psychological harm, negligence and sexual abuses.
The centre cites among its objectives the provision of child protection against ill- treatment from the family and society, providing psychological, welfare and legal services and finding alternative families.
It also aims to promote social awareness about children's protection and rights and to follow the implementation and application of the rules and agreement related to child protection.
