Child safety agreement signed in Sharjah

An agreement was signed for collaboration between the Child Safety Campaign 2015 and the Sharjah Department of Social Services' child protection division.

SHARJAH // Two Sharjah organisations have signed an agreement to promote children’s rights and welfare in the emirate by organising workshops at schools.

The Child Safety Campaign 2015, launched by the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs, signed the agreement with the Protection of Children’s Rights Administration, part of the Sharjah Department of Social Services. The campaign was formed under the directives of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and chairwoman of the council.

Both parties will cooperate and share experiences to implement child-protection standards as part of the campaign, reported the state news agency, Wam. The goal is to develop a safe and nurturing environment for children in Sharjah in line with international standards.

Hanadi Al Yafei, head of the campaign organising committee, said the agreement highlights efforts to protect children and promote their rights and safety to “ensure they achieve their full potential in the future”.

“This initiative shows the great attention paid by the Sharjah Government to protect children from any danger or violence,” said Ahmed Al Tartour, director of the Protection of Children’s Rights Administration.

According to the agreement, there will be 70 workshops at 45 government and private schools for three age groups, covering 2,350 boys and girls, said Mr Al Tartour.

“The type of workshop will differ from one age group to another with respect to children’s comprehension and cognitive abilities. In addition, there will be joint activities and programmes to spread awareness and educate children about their rights,” he said.

Child safety issues have been highlighted recently in the UAE. The Emirates Foundation has launched its own campaign to address the rate of accidental deaths among children in the country, previously telling The National that 45,500 kids were exposed to dangerous situation over a two-year period.

In the past month in Sharjah, two children and a teenager fell to their deaths from balconies, and another girl, 11, drowned in a swimming pool. A newborn baby was found abandoned on a doorstep this month.