Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Family Development Foundation (FDF) conducted awareness events and workshops under the theme ‘The right of the child to protection’ to celebrate Emirati Children’s Day at its centres in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. In conjunction with the celebrations, FDF has planned a wide range of programs and events throughout March, including educational, recreational activities, and awareness initiatives, to underscore the relevance of child protection and provide its maximum support.
These activities and workshops aim to empower and sensitise children and young people and equip them with social skills that will help them actively participate in society. They also aim to ensure children's and young people's rights to grow in a healthy, safe, and supportive environment that aids in developing their abilities and skills. Furthermore, they seek to enable them to gain personal protection knowledge relevant to their developmental stage to raise a generation capable of shaping their future and society’s.
This year’s activities focused on child protection, which is crucial in enabling children to live in a caring environment that supports their healthy development and provides stability, happiness, and long-term safety.
Major Events
Wafa Al Ali, Acting Director of the Family Development Department at FDF, said: “The events held in conjunction with Emirati Children’s Day highlight the keenness of FDF to raise awareness on children’s rights and their key role in families. The celebrations include several major events throughout March, such as ‘We are stronger than bullying’. The program aims to protect the rights of children between the ages of 6 and 18 while underscoring the challenging situations a child must undergo while acquiring knowledge and skills. The events also seek to support children in acquiring knowledge in the realm of personal protection corresponding to their developmental traits to develop their linguistic and cognitive skills and encourage them to use their imagination and develop their creative abilities."
Accompanying Events
Asila al-Kalbani, Director of the Department of Child and Youth Development of the Family Development Foundation noted various other accompanying events, including awareness-raising workshops held in collaboration with ‘Emirates Schools Establishment ‘ESE’ to ensure a safer childhood. These events seek to acquaint children between 6 and 12 with their rights and responsibilities within the family and society. In addition, interactive anti-bullying workshops are offered to children aged 6 to 18 as part of the application process for membership in the Al-Dar Children's and Youth Club.
The UAE continues its relentless efforts to protect children and guarantee their rights in all respects. Over the past years, the country has made great strides in creating a comprehensive legal framework to protect children, raise awareness of their rights, and accelerate the implementation of care plans to guarantee their safety and well-being in an environment that is safe, healthy, and supportive of their psychological and physical well-being.
