While sponsoring the Festival of the Child and Maternity Welfare Society, Humaidan affirms: .. The child in Bahrain enjoys his right to care, protection and social empowerment

23-11-2019

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 Child and Motherhood Welfare Society held a festival on the occasion of World Children’s Day under the slogan “Children are a blessing and a gift.” The festival, attended by the Society’s President, Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, together with representatives of private entities and civil society organisations concerned with childhood, was held on Thursday at the Society’s headquarters in Isa Town. On this occasion, His Excellency affirmed that protecting childhood and caring for young people within the family is a right guaranteed by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He underscored the comprehensive protection and care enjoyed by children under the esteemed government’s programmes, policies, and legislation, consistent with Bahrain’s commitment to Arab and international covenants, charters, and agreements. He noted that children in Bahrain enjoy their right to social and special care and protection, as well as the requirements that ensure social security and enable them to be constructive members of society. Humaidan explained that childhood-related fields in Bahrain have witnessed notable achievements across education, culture, health, and social protection. At the international level, he highlighted Bahrain’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992 and the issuance of Law No. (37) of 2012 with respect to the Promulgation of the Child Law, which represents a qualitative milestone for the Kingdom. He also pointed to the formation of the National Childhood Committee, comprising representatives of ministries, official institutions, and civil society organisations concerned with childhood. Within the scope of the Ministry’s work, His Excellency noted the establishment of dedicated “Children and Youth Clubs” at every social centre affiliated with the Ministry across the Kingdom, providing activities that develop children’s talents and their health and cognitive abilities. Humaidan commended the efforts of NGOs, including specialised associations concerned with childcare in Bahrain, for their supportive role in strengthening community partnerships through close cooperation with official bodies as part of a joint national effort to serve children and ensure they enjoy the necessary protection and social care. For her part, the President of the Children and Mothers Welfare Society, Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain is among the first countries to prioritise child care in education and health, in addition to ratifying international agreements and issuing laws, legislation, and national strategies in this regard. She noted that these achievements were realised with the support of the esteemed government and the cooperation of civil society organisations, citing, among other accomplishments, the issuance of the Family Law with the full support of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women. During the festival, a number of individuals and private institutions were honoured for their support of projects and programmes dedicated to the development, care, and protection of Bahraini children across various fields.