A petition asking to do more to protect children from abuse, has been submitted to the People’s Majlis.

The petition was submitted by child rights’ group ‘Voice of Children’ on Tuesday, and was accepted by North-Mahchangolhi constituency MP Mohamed Rasheed.

Noting that children must be provided “additional protection,” Voice of Children noted that the both the government and society have failed to do the necessary to ensure this especially for victims of sexual and other abuses.

Hence, it called to take “immediate action” to protect children.

The petition makes five appeals, including to bring the necessary changes to current laws and to strengthen the measures to monitor offenders and to safeguard the at-risk children.

Further appealing to conduct awareness programmes to educate the public in these matters, Voice of Children asked to ensure that the ministry that deals with these matters are assigned to someone that “can fulfill the responsibilities.”

While the petition previously called to remove Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef, she resigned from the post last Thursday. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has since appointed Aishath Mohamed Didi as the new gender minister, which will only be confirmed after parliament’s approval; this is currently being reviewed by the government oversight committee.

The petition is also calling for the dismissal of Eanaz Adam, the president of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM). Voice of Children is also asking for investigations into the police’s head of Family and Child Protection Unit, Superintendent Hassan Haneef, as well as Assistant Police Commissioner Mohamed Riyaz.