Establishing a truly safe environment for children can only be realised by cultivating a fundamentally compassionate society, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed announced at a ceremony inaugurating a formal consultation on children’s rights.
The initiative, a specialised symposium titled 'Mashvaraa on Child Rights', provides a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on challenges confronting youths and to explore strategies for defending their fundamental rights, according to the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare. Organised in conjunction with National Children’s Day, the discussions aim to foster collaborative action.
Ensuring every child grows up empowered and protected requires the unified, collaborative effort of the entire community, First Lady Sajidha noted, adding that while the government has spearheaded significant initiatives, the ultimate responsibility for child welfare rests with the public. Recognising children as the nation's fundamental hope, she underscored that their upbringing dictates the future prosperity of society. Compassionate childcare, she explained, must extend beyond basic necessities to include a robust financial and moral foundation essential for moulding youths into dependable citizens.
"This responsibility does not rest solely upon legislation and institutions," the first lady said, observing that true security requires an attentive, empathetic public. "The most robust protection for children stems from the principles we uphold and the actions we demonstrate within our homes, schools, and the broader society. Consequently, the manner in which we communicate with youth, our willingness to genuinely listen to them, and the personal examples we set are of paramount importance."