Childhood… is a beautiful word that brings a smile to faces, and gives comfort and tranquility to souls, and when we talk about the promising future, undoubtedly we mean the generation of children whom we rely on in building the nation. There is no happiness for a nation, and no stability for any society, except through the care and nurturing of children. How could it be otherwise, as they are the buds of the present and the hope of the future? Yes, they are the good seedlings that yield good fruit when nourished by the love of their families and saturated with authentic values.
The care of children, the attention to their future, and empowering them are parts of our authentic and firm values in Emirati society. Social traditions have always supported children’s protection, providing them with care, enabling them to develop independent personalities, and determining their own choices.
We have learned from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, that human beings are the foundation of a nation’s progress, and that the strong country gains strength from the power, progress, and love of its children. Therefore, children have been a priority for the concerned authorities in the UAE, as they are the cornerstone of building an advanced society. When a child receives his full rights in education, family care, and benefits from parental compassion and other rights that ensure a dignified and stable life, his self-confidence will be strengthened. He will become an individual who contributes to the development of his country and plays a role in its construction and elevation.
On the other hand, can you imagine the consequences of neglecting this child and leaving him at the mercy of the challenges of time, which would bite his young body, and destroy his innocent childhood? Yes, he will be inclined towards undesirable results such as crime, deviance, and corrupting his society. He will become easy prey for criminal gangs, drugs, or other forms of evil that destroy humanity, and undermine values and morals within him. Furthermore, the community might lose an individual who could have had a positive role in its progress and prosperity.
In the United Arab Emirates, childhood receives the highest level of attention and care. The constitution includes clear provisions that make it a must for the community to take care of children. The UAE is considered a universal model in protecting children’s rights and promoting their well-being in many aspects of life, such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. The country has launched a series of programs and initiatives to promote the development of future generations, in addition to the enacting laws that solidify the role and place of children in Emirati society. Based on its belief in the importance of children and the significant impact of their care, the UAE works within an integrated system aimed at nurturing, protecting, and empowering children from birth. This includes healthcare and education systems, as well as other national family policy programs that support the child’s right to live in a safe and healthy environment, enabling him to achieve happiness within stable families.
As we mentioned, the UAE has been at the forefront of enacting laws and legislation to protect and empower children. The legal journey related to children’s rights has witnessed the enactment of several laws and regulations to protect and empower children, allowing them to fulfill their roles in society and enjoy their full rights.
2012 was a significant turning point in the history of legislation related to childhood when the UAE launched a legal workshop that led to the issuing of the “Wadeema Law” in 2016. This law commemorated the name of the girl “Wadeema,” who had died as a result of abuse. This law, which represents a qualitative leap in dealing with children’s rights in the Arab region, was approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, May Allah protect him, he stated when approving the law, “All children, without discrimination of any kind, have the right to a safe life, a stable environment, a permanent care, and protection from any risks and violations.”
The United Arab Emirates has stated March 15 of every year as a celebration of the Emirati Children’s Day, highlighting the role of the state and its achievements in nurturing and granting the child fundamental rights in accordance with international conventions and laws.
The Emirati Children’s Parliament, which was established in February 2020, bears witness to the commitment of the UAE government to promote the effective participation of all children, including children of determination, their families, and institutions that are relevant to community development.
In an effort to facilitate children’s social participation and provide them with information about government entities, the Ministry of Community Development launched the “Digital Government for Children” platform in February 2019. This platform provides an interactive digital environment targeting children and adolescents, utilizing games and techniques of virtual reality. The ministry also launched two initiatives, “Tawasul” and “Nemo,” in order to provide means of communication with children with autism and children who have difficulty in communication.
Through this, we recognize the importance of the nation’s young generation in building society, and the UAE’s commitment to childhood and its rights. Therefore, I believe it is our collective responsibility to realize the magnitude of the responsibility placed upon us towards children everywhere, and to strive diligently to ensure a prosperous life for the budding hopes and future generation.
