First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has stressed that creating a safe environment for children requires more than laws and protection mechanisms, emphasizing that a caring and compassionate society is the foundation of meaningful child protection.
She made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the National Children’s Day Forum, held in connection with National Children’s Day celebrations.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, the First Lady highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the well-being and development of children, noting that safeguarding children’s rights cannot be left solely to government institutions.
According to Sajidha, every member of society has a role to play in helping children grow up in an environment that is safe, supportive and empowering.
She acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the government in recent years to strengthen child protection systems, but stressed that ensuring the welfare of children remains a shared responsibility that extends beyond state institutions.
Describing children as the nation’s greatest hope, the First Lady said the way society nurtures and supports its young people today will directly shape the country’s future.
She noted that caring for children involves more than meeting their basic needs, arguing that equal attention must be given to building strong moral values, character and life skills that enable children to become responsible and productive members of society.
“The strongest protection for children does not come from laws and institutions alone,” she said. “It also comes from the values we practice in our homes, schools and communities.”
The First Lady emphasized that the way adults communicate with children, listen to their concerns and serve as role models can have a lasting impact on their development and sense of security.
She further stated that building a truly safe community requires vigilant and informed citizens working together toward a common goal. In her view, parents, teachers, community leaders and ordinary citizens all share responsibility for guiding children and helping protect them from harm.
The National Children’s Day Forum was launched by the Ministry of Social Development and Family as part of activities marking National Children’s Day.
According to the ministry, the forum aims to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders involved in child welfare and create a platform for discussions on issues affecting children in the Maldives. The initiative is also intended to explore ways to better protect children’s rights and improve support systems available to young people.
Child protection and children’s rights have remained key priorities in national policy discussions in recent years, with authorities introducing a range of measures focused on child welfare, education, family support and safeguarding mechanisms.
Officials say forums such as these provide an opportunity for government agencies, educators, civil society organisations and community members to work together in identifying challenges and developing solutions that promote the well-being of children across the country.
The First Lady concluded her remarks by reiterating that lasting change can only be achieved when society as a whole commits to creating an environment where every child feels safe, valued and supported.
