Humaidan: Combined efforts to enhance achievements in the field of childhood.. Various activities on "International Child's Day" and the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Right

21-11-2019

Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Chairman of the National Childhood Committee, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, the celebrations of World Children’s Day and the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child were launched at Seef Mall on 20 November, continuing through 22 November. The opening was attended by His Excellency Shaikh Hisham bin Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Governor of the Capital Governorate; Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al Dossari; Her Excellency MP Fatima Abbas, Head of the Human Rights Committee; the Director General of the Capital Secretariat, Engineer Shawqia Humaidan; and a number of officials from the Supreme Council for Women, the Ministries of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, and Health, and other relevant authorities, together with representatives of the Ministries of Interior, Education, and Health. The celebration features a variety of programmes, events, and activities for children and youth, including platforms that promote the rights declared by the United Nations during this year’s World Children’s Day observance; a puppet theatre presenting performances that support the promotion of these rights; and activities by the Child Protection Centre and the Care and Rehabilitation Centres for Persons with Disabilities during both morning and evening periods. Humaidan stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s celebrations aim to highlight the level of interest in preserving children’s rights and promoting their development and progress within a safe and nurturing environment reinforced by laws and legislation, to ensure their advancement at all stages of life; to raise awareness among society and residents about children’s rights and the importance of protecting and developing them within the family and society; and to motivate government and private institutions, civil society organisations, and individuals to enhance their role in achieving development and implementing national plans and programmes concerned with childhood. He noted that Bahrain’s achievements in the field of childhood reflect concerted efforts to enhance outcomes in this area. In this context, His Excellency the Minister stressed that Bahrain has issued many laws that place children’s rights in a position of protection, care, and attention, most notably the Kingdom’s ratification of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992, in addition to Law No. (37) of 2012 with respect to the Promulgation of the Child Law, which has become the primary reference for all legislation related to children and the protection of their rights, as well as the launch of the National Strategy for Childhood and its executive plan; these and other distinguished achievements, the result of sustained effort and thoughtful planning, have received international praise confirming Bahrain’s commitment to protecting children’s rights. Humaidan emphasised that children constitute a significant part of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s objectives. On the development front, children and youth clubs were established to offer intellectual, educational, sports, scientific, and cultural activities, alongside events throughout the year that broaden horizons, provide enriching knowledge, and develop skills through innovative workshops to support academic achievement. On the protection front, the Ministry established the Child Protection Centre and a Child Helpline 998 to receive reports of any abuse or violence to which a child is exposed, and to take the necessary protection measures in coordination with the relevant authorities. For his part, His Excellency the Governor of the Capital Governorate, Shaikh Hisham bin Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, praised the event for highlighting national efforts directed towards serving children in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and underlined the role of various official bodies and civil society organisations in advancing services provided to the children’s sector, noting Bahrain’s achievements in this regard. Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Abdullah bin Faisal bin Jabr Al Dossari affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to enacting national legislation to protect and safeguard children’s rights in accordance with relevant international standards, and to providing all forms of healthcare, social care, and education for children, which has made Bahrain one of the leading countries globally in protecting children’s rights.