Abu dhabi: H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), has affirmed the UAE’s commitment to placing children’s rights and well-being at the center of all national decisions, policies, and programs. This announcement underscores the strategic priority of safeguarding children’s interests across the nation.
According to Emirates News Agency, this declaration was made in conjunction with World Children’s Day. Sheikh Theyab emphasized the importance of this day as an opportunity to reaffirm the UAE’s dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment that respects children’s rights. The UAE aims to empower children to reach their full potential within strong families and cohesive communities, with institutions working collectively for future generations.
This year’s celebration of World Children’s Day in the UAE, themed ‘Listen to the future! Stand with children’s rights,’ coincides with Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week. Sheikh Theyab called for continued efforts to unify national initiatives for child protection by enhancing coordination between federal and local family and childhood agencies. He stressed the need to develop the ‘Dama Al-Aman’ system, a comprehensive child protection framework that connects various sectors such as family, education, social and health services, and judicial and law-enforcement authorities.
The ECA is committed to improving monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance systems within the ‘Dama Al-Aman’ framework. It also aims to expand preventive programs and adopt evidence-based and innovative interventions to meet the changing needs of children and families amid rapid social and technological changes. Launched in collaboration with multiple sectors, the ‘Dama Al-Aman’ system aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and highlights the emirate’s role in strengthening global child protection.
The UAE has also made strides in building national capacity by training hundreds of specialists, including educators, doctors, nurses, social workers, and prosecutors, through over ten accredited programs developed with the National Academy for Childhood Development. These efforts ensure the readiness and effectiveness of Abu Dhabi’s child protection system.
In line with the Abu Dhabi Child Protection Strategy (2020-2024), the emirate has established the Child Center, the first integrated center offering comprehensive child protection services in partnership with the Family Care Authority. This center streamlines access to holistic support for families and improves response times to cases. A new branch recently opened in Al Ain, with plans for further expansion. Additionally, an electronic reporting platform facilitates direct communication with specialists to ensure prompt intervention when children face potential risks.