Children's opinion sought on amendments to Child Rights Act

Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare as held a meeting to gather children's opinion and comments on amendments to be brought to the Child Rights Protection Act. The ministry said that they had initiated the meeting for the purpose of gauging the views of children on necessary amendments that should be brought to the Act to ensure more robust protection of children's rights. The meeting was held in a safe environment where children were free to express their opinions openly, the ministry said. Students from Male' schools as well as from several schools in the islands participated in this meeting. The ministry said that discussions in the meeting centred on various articles in the Act, challenges faced by children, and children's views on additional steps that can be taken to further protect their rights and responsibilities. The ministry said that the objective of holding such sessions is to ensure children are given a voice in shaping policy and laws regarding their rights and protections, to prioritize their views and to protect their best interests. They stated that information gleaned through the meeting would add weight to any amendments that are then brought to the Act.