Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services has announced that the ministry has assessed the conditions of 20 children under the age of 18, from nine households of Maduvvari island of Raa Atoll.

According to a press statement released by the ministry on Saturday, the ministry's role in the operation titled "Asseyri", currently being conducted in Maduvvari, is to protect the rights of women and children as accorded to them by the Maldives constitution and international conventions by identifying and assisting any vulnerable parties who are being deprived of their inherent rights.

As such, the ministry declared that they have assessed the conditions of 20 children from nine households of Maduvvari island, held discussions with the families and taken the necessary steps required to ensure basic rights for all vulnerable parties.

While four children were provided with the necessary vaccinations for their age with the consent of their families, one child had to be removed from their parent's custody as the ministry could not determine the child's well-being. The child was subsequently placed in the care of a relative.

The statement further declares that the ministry will not allow any child to be deprived of their basic rights or have their physical and mental wellbeing violated due to parental or family neglect. Moreover, the ministry will monitor whether parents are fulfilling their responsibilities mandated under the Child Rights Act.

The ministry has also appealed for news media to report on cases related to children in a manner that does not have adverse effects on the children involved.