By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: The ministry of social affairs held a celebration on World Children's Day titled "New Kuwait for Our Children". Minister of Social Affairs and Women and Children's Affairs Mai Al-Baghli affirmed that World Children's Day is an important occasion to highlight ways of proper care for children all over the world, and is considered one of the basic pillars of human rights.

"Kuwait considers children's rights a priority among cases of human rights, where childhood is one of the most important stages. Government policies proceed according to a methodology based on legislative and legal aspects and the formulation of a comprehensive system for everything related to the life of the child - health, educational, cultural and social," she noted.

Baghli pointed out that Kuwait signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Oct 1991, and it will spare no effort in enacting laws and legislations that guarantee more rights and protection of the child, as law no. 21 of 2015 was issued regarding the rights of the child, which included 97 articles. "The law included a set of rights that concern the child, including right to breastfeeding, custody, food, clothing, housing, seeing their parents and taking care of them, their money as well as the obligation of the state to take the necessary measures to ensure that the child enjoys the highest level of healthcare. It is also prohibited to expose the child to any physical, psychological or emotional abuse," she said.

KUWAIT: Minister Mai Al-Baghli touring the exhibition that was organized on the sidelines of the celebration. - Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Baghli indicated that within the framework of the keenness of Kuwait to cooperate with specialized international organizations, the UNICEF office opened in Kuwait on Nov 19, 2020, as Kuwait believes in the importance of the role played by UNICEF over children's rights, along with several workshops to strengthen the child protection system in Kuwait.

"In conclusion, we look forward to continuing support for all efforts and endeavors made by the community, international organizations and UNICEF in particular to create a better world for children. Kuwait will continue to work diligently in harnessing all capabilities and exerting every effort to promote and protect human rights," she added.

"We are pleased to join the world in celebrating Children's Day as an affirmation of the humanitarian, professional and moral commitment to the right of the child to have access to high-quality healthcare, as one of the rights of the child affirmed by international agreements to which Kuwait is committed," Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi said.

The minister thanked medical staff and workers at the ministry of health for their efforts and ideas to enhance and develop health services provided to children in all specialties. "I would like to especially thank those who developed positive initiatives and programs that contributed to strengthening the infrastructure of child health within the healthcare system in Kuwait," he said.

"We still have many challenges that we must tackle with team spirit and transparency, finding solutions and scientific evidence, including challenges related to early childhood development. The celebration of Children's Day coincides with the first steps to prepare for cooperation and partnership between Kuwait and UNICEF in the field of early childhood development. We look forward to Kuwait playing a leading regional role in promoting child development policies and supporting the capabilities and skills of health workers," Dr Awadhi said.