First Lady Fazna Ahmed has called for increased child involvement in policy-making.

She made these remarks during the opening of the Regional Consultation of Child Rights Institutions of South Asia held in Bandos Maldives, on Monday.

Speaking about the importance of involving children in the decision-making process that affects them, the First Lady urged all relevant stakeholders to consult children about their needs and what is best for them at every stage of the policy-making process. She stated that children need to have a direct role in the policy-making process that affects their well-being.

The First Lady also praised the Regional Consultation for holding a consultation session with children and youth.

First Lady Fazna stated that promoting and protecting children's rights is a top policy priority for the administration. She said that the Maldives ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1991 and that significant progress has been made in establishing a proper legislative framework on child rights at the national level. However, she said more work must be done to consolidate these achievements.

The First Lady also emphasized on the role of schools, parents, and guardians in educating children about their rights, how to exercise them, and how to seek assistance if they are violated. She also noted that civil society organizations can play a critical role in bridging the gap between policymakers and communities to raise awareness of child rights.

The First Lady added that children are the agents of change in the future and that the investments we make in their well-being today will determine the course of our development in the future.

The two-day regional consultation of child rights institutions from seven South Asian countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—is held to examine the status of children's rights, share experiences, and enhance the expertise of organizations in the region.