Sharjah24: In celebration of World Children's Day, the Child and Family Protection Centre, part of the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD), organised a series of awareness programmes for students from public and private schools, as well as kindergartens and private nurseries. The programmes focused on providing guidance and advice aimed at ensuring comprehensive child protection, targeting educators and supervisors in institutions dedicated to child welfare in Sharjah. The centre reported that, to date in 2024, over 100 awareness programmes have been conducted, covering children's rights, protection, and prevention.
The programmes are delivered by a specialised team consisting of social educators, social protection specialists, legal researchers, and psychologists. One such programme, "How to Say No," teaches children how to protect themselves from abuse and harm, as well as how to defend themselves and manage situations where they may be at risk. The programme trains children in self-protection through a series of stages, including role-playing exercises that help reinforce the idea and teach children how to protect themselves properly.
Among the activities, a programme titled "Super Strong" was introduced to enhance communication skills in children who face psychological marginalisation, such as fear of interacting with others or difficulty expressing themselves. A psychologist from the centre facilitated group workshops to help break the fear barrier and boost children's self-confidence. Additionally, a team of legal researchers educated children about the importance of their rights in society, simplifying many legal concepts to make them more accessible.
One of the key stories used in the programme was that of "Wadima," a young girl whose case led to the enactment of the child protection law. The story explained the article in a simple and engaging manner, helping children understand their fundamental rights, including the right to life and security, the right to a name, registration in the birth registry, the right to nationality, the right to parentage, and other official documents. The programme also covered the rights to freedom of expression, protection from work before the age of 15, protection from commercial exploitation, as well as family, health, educational, social, and cultural rights, and mechanisms for protection and enforcement of those rights.
Furthermore, a programme was organised for teachers, parents, supervisors, and community members in institutions to raise awareness about the "Wadima Law," children's rights, and how to implement these rights within the country. A social protection expert also highlighted the importance of awareness around school bullying, both in-person and online, and how to deal with it. The programme provided preventive training and guidance on strengthening emotional resilience without harming others, along with information on how to contact the Child and Family Protection Centre if a report needs to be made.
Additionally, the policy of child protection was introduced to social professionals in educational institutions and child welfare organisations across Sharjah. The programme was led by child protection expert Khaled Al Kathiri, who conducted workshops and lectures on child protection and trained medical staff and supervisors in hospitals and healthcare centres on the "Safe Watcher" service. This included guidance on reporting through the emergency hotline (800700) and how to provide urgent intervention.
Fatima Al Marzouqi, Director of the Child and Family Protection Centre, stated that the centre's role extends beyond providing awareness programmes for children and parents. It also focuses on organising events that nurture children's talents and promote the culture of child protection within the community. One such event included an art exhibition featuring works by students from selected schools in Sharjah, marking World Children's Day on November 20th. The centre ensures that its programmes align with the vision and mission of the Sharjah Social Services Department, which is to provide a creative environment for every child to express their rights through art and to share the messages they carry within themselves with specialists working to protect and secure their rights.
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