'Child and Family Protection Service' established

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has on Sunday established the Child and Family Protection Service.

The service was established to ensure that the rights and interests of children are protected, and to provide support to assistance to child victims and their families.

While the Child Rights Protection Act came into effect on February 20, it stipulates the constitution of a Child and Family Protection Service. This service was to be established within 30 days after the law takes effect.

The Child and Family Protection Service falls under the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services, and brings changes to the ministry's work. As such, the new body will take over child rights and interests protection services.

While President SOlih formed the presidential commission to inquire on child rights violations back in February, a Child Rights Protection Council must be formed within 60 days after the Child Rights Protection Act takes effect. A Children’s Ombudsperson is to be appointed in 90 days.

The law 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.

The president ratified the act on the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) last November.