Coinciding with the Emirati Children's Day on 15th March each year and in continuation of the efforts in qualifying child protection specialists all over the UAE, the Ministry of Community Development completed a (10) days training program for child protection specialists in federal and local government authorities
Coinciding with the Emirati Children's Day on 15th March each year and in continuation of the efforts in qualifying child protection specialists all over the UAE, the Ministry of Community Development completed a (10) days training program for child protection specialists in federal and local government authorities who meet the stipulated conditions in the Child Rights Law and its executive regulations. The program comes as part of qualifying child protection specialists and providing them with the basic necessary information to practice the profession and apply effective measures towards child protection from any danger that may threaten his physical, health and mental integrity.
Attended by Dr. Moza Al Akraf Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Development, the ministry organized a graduation ceremony for the members of the training program which was held in cooperation between the Ministry of Community Development, Judicial Institute and Community Development Authority at the Ministry of Justice. About (34) specialists in several childhood entities were granted the status of "judicial officers in the field of child protection.
The specialists attended technical training on the methods of dealing with abuse cases, investigating child victims of violations. The participant specialists of the program work at the Ministry of Community Development, Ministry of Health and Prevention, Community Development Authority, Emirates Health Services, Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, Dubai Academic Health Corporation, Dubai Police General Headquarters, and Aman Shelter for Women and Children.
The total number of specialists who were qualified in the program which was launched by the Ministry in 2020, reached (54) specialists. The program in its first course was implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of Community Development and Judicial Institute at the Ministry of Justice and attended by (20) specialists who sworn the oath to mark practicing all tasks related to child protection in the Ministry of Community Development, Community Development Authority, and Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.
The Ministry also participated in the Child Protection Specialist Program organized by the Early Childhood Authority in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Georgetown University and Judicial Department in 2020 where (104) child protection specialists nationwide attended to the graduation.
Excellency Nasser Ismail, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Welfare Affairs at the Ministry of Community Development, confirmed that the training program for child protection specialists was approved in accordance with Article (52) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 concerning the child rights which stipulates that the child protection specialists who are announced by a decision of the Minister of Justice shall have the capacity of judicial officers in proving what is committed in violation of the provisions of this law as well as the regulations and decisions issued in this regard. The Ministerial Resolution No. (52) of 2018 regarding the executive regulations of the law stipulates that the child protection specialist passes the training program approved by the Ministry.
Excellency Nasser Ismail referred to 4 pillars on which the Child Protection Specialists Program is based, namely: the (legal and legislative framework) which frames the International Convention on Child Rights, reviews personal status issues, takes a comprehensive look at child protection centers, the Federal Law on the Rights of the Child and its executive regulations. The second pillar namely (Judicial Seizure) which is implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, targets the legal nature and activities of judicial control, the provisions of legal seizure, competencies and powers of the judicial officer in the field of child protection.
The third pillar of the program focuses on (methods of dealing with victims of violence - children and adolescents), through the characteristics of child development, foundations of mental health, pathological behavioral indicators resulting from abuse in addition to the methods of treating children exposed to abuse and violence as well as the role of family members in support and treatment. The fourth and final pillar of the Child Protection Specialists Program reviews the technical skills of the protection specialist based on the importance of child protection, mechanisms for monitoring violence, determining the degree of risk addressed to child, social research and case management skills, methods of interrogating abused children, and the concept of intervention, treatment and protection.
There are many reporting channels to enhance child protection, through specific contact numbers in various concerned authorities while the Ministry of Community Development provides reporting channels through its call center (800623) and e-mail cpu@mocd.gov.ae
It is worth noting that the UAE's celebration of Emirati Children's Day takes place on 15th March each year coinciding with the Federal Law No. (3) of 2016 concerning the child rights; the Emirati children’s day aims to educate all the members of the community about children's rights and ensure that they grow up in a healthy and safe environment and support the development of their capabilities and skills for the benefit of the UAE society.