President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the entire state must work together to achieve the desired results in protecting children's rights. He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the Child Rights Symposium held in association with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Children's Ombudsperson's Office of Maldives.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih said healthy family ties are crucial for the development and safety of children, and maintaining these ties would strengthen familial bonds. He noted the administration undertakes many programmes aimed at fostering better domestic relations.
Furthermore, President Solih said that state care is not a viable substitute for the love of parents, no matter how compassionate the care provided, and that placing the children with relatives is the best option for them. The president said the children placed in Kudakudhinge Hiyaa and Fiyavathi in Hulhumale' have now been relocated to secure facilities provided by the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services to home children on six islands in order to provide them with a more familiar environment.
Additionally, President Solih stated there are various areas in which children are vulnerable, such as drug addiction, and that they must be protected from such risks. The president said the symposium is being held at a crucial time and that the discussions will help in identifying the challenges faced in protecting their rights.
At the opening ceremony, a book about the Symposium was presented to the president. The event is held from September 14-15 at CROSSROADS Maldives.