The biggest obstacle to the gender ministry’s work “is the lack of resources”.

During an appearance on RaajjeTV’s Fala Surukhee programme on Tuesday, the ministry’s Deputy Minister Fathmath Yumna said that they face various obstacles in their work to protect children under state care.

Yumna said that the biggest obstacle “is the lack of resources at the ministry,” adding that this work is not prioritized under the budget for the social sector “at times”.

However, she added that they will continue to protect the children “with the limited resources.”

While the level of care provided to the children under state care has been subject to scrutiny, given the various cases of them fleeing the children’s homes, the deputy minister assured that any such issues raised “are thoroughly investigated and action is taken.”

Children who do not have the option of living with family or relatives are taken under state care.

While the Child Rights Protection Act came into effect on the 20th of this month, Yumna said that their first task is to raise awareness within the institutions under the ministry.

Noting that “there is much to do” in this aspect, Yumna added that they will be conducting awareness programmes.

While the gender ministry has deadlines to complete a number of tasks after the law took effect -including establishing a Child and Family Protection Service in 30 days, a Child Rights Protection Council in 60 days and appoint a Children’s Ombudsperson in 90- the ministry said that all work will be completed “as soon as possible” and before the required date.

Gender Minister Aishath M. Didi, who was appointed earlier this month following the resignation to Shidhatha Shareef, noted that the law is based on international child protection laws and standards “to ensure the protection of Maldivian children”.

It outlines the rights and responsibilities for children, and duties of the state, community and parents to protect such rights and seeks to protect children from discrimination, bias, harm, cruel punishment, neglect and physical and emotional abuse. The law also includes provisions such as the right to education, right to health care, and special provisions to protect the rights of children with special needs.

While President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the act on the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) last November, he since established the “Presidential Commission to Inquire into Child Rights Violations” this month.