Sharjah’s Kanaf committee sets future child protection agenda

July 29, 2025 / 5:56 PM

Sharjah 24: The Supreme Committee of Kanaf, the child protection centre in Sharjah, held its third-quarter meeting for 2025 to review referrals, analyse patterns of abuse, and address field challenges. The meeting is part of Sharjah’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its child protection system, following the directives of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

Institutional coordination

Chaired by Hanadi Al Yafie, Director General of the Child Safety Department and Chair of the Supreme Committee of Kanaf, the meeting was attended by senior officials including Dr. Muhammad Obaid Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Sharjah Judicial Department; Counsellor Anwar Al Harmoudi, Head of the Public Prosecution; Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police; Ahmed Al Mail, Chairman of the Social Services Department; and several other leaders from the health, education, and family sectors.

The committee reviewed case reports from November 2024 to July 2025, exploring the causes, psychological, and social impacts of abuse on children and families. It also assessed coordination among internal teams and partner entities and evaluated staff practices to ensure they align with privacy standards and reinforce public trust.

National leadership in child protection

Hanadi Al Yafie reaffirmed Kanaf’s role as a national model for child abuse response, noting its adoption of the international Barnahus approach, which reduces the number of interviews children must undergo and offers them a supportive environment during investigation and treatment.

The meeting concluded with a set of developmental recommendations to boost response efficiency, improve referral mechanisms, and raise community awareness, in line with Sharjah’s vision of a safe and cohesive society where children grow up with confidence and dignity.