DFWAC launches its 10th annual child protection campaign

13 Mar, 2019

Dubai, United Arab Emirates,13 March 2019:

received nearly 611 case of child abuse since 2007

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC), launched its 10^th annual campaign to prevent child abuse, in conjunction with the UAE Children's Day, under the slogan "Protect Childhood", and it will continue till the end of April.

This year's campaign focuses on raising awareness of the great impact of the parents on their children’s childhood and future, and how every memory will affect their lives, psychological and social stability as they grow up, since these memories will last forever.

The campaign, sponsored by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the Dubai Courts, highlights this impact by presenting stories and memories of a number of older people in their childhood, and how it remained engraved in their memory and have radically influenced their lives, which encourages the members of the society to strengthen their relationship with their children and give them more time, attention to ensure them a stable life in the future away from all types of violence.

The campaign highlights these stories under the title "Because childhood stays... Leave a good memory" through video clips that are displayed through a number of cinemas and promotional displays in a number of areas of the Emirate of Dubai and also on social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to deliver the message to As many members as possible.

HE Afra Al Basti, Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, said that this campaign, which is being implemented by the Foundation for the tenth year in a row, is part of the efforts exerted by many stakeholders to provide the UAE with the best environment in which children can live, which applies the best international practices and standards, in accordance with the vision of the wise leadership.

She pointed out that the Foundation chose to launch its campaign in conjunction with the UAE Children's Day, which reflects the UAE's commitment to protect children’s rights, praising the great efforts exerted by the Mother of the UAE, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), who launched this initiative.

HE Afra Al Basti also revealed that the Foundation has helped nearly 611 victims of child abuse since its establishment in 2007 until the end of last year 2018, either through providing shelter or providing psychosocial support to external cases that do not need shelter.

She added that this campaign is a positive invitation to all parents to leave good memories in the hearts of their children and to care about even the smallest acts and words they use with them, because they will often be engraved in their children’s memory and will therefore be reflected on their role in their future.

Fatima Al Falasi, Project Manager and Community Awareness Executive at DFWAC, said that the Foundation believes that the confronting child abuse in society begins with good education and strengthening the relationship between the parents and their children, which has a positive impact on them.

"After this campaign, we hope that parents will be more keen to strengthen their relationship with their children, and notice that every word or behavior they do towards or in front of their children will be engraved in their memories and will remain with them forever," she added.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), said: "DEWA choose to be a gold sponsor of DFWAC’s child protection awareness campaign as a part of it efforts to support the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to promote family stability in society, invest in new generations and achieve the objectives of the Dubai 2021 Plan to build a cohesive society based on cohesive families and communities.”

“We must maintain and provide all the support needed to raise our children in a healthy environment psychologically and socially, to raise generations that are capable to take responsibility in the future to make the UAE the best country in the world. "

"We appreciate the efforts of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children to provide assistance to the victims of violence, and introduce legislation and laws that protect women and children, and to encourage community members to participate positively in preventing all forms of abuse against women and children," Al Tayer added.

HE Taresh Eid Mohammad Al Mansouri, Director of Dubai Courts said: “The Dubai Courts are delighted to be associated with the Foundation's efforts to protect children, which this year has a message of "the importance of positive communication with children and their impact on the child's life in the long term”.

He also praised the Foundation’s efforts and its social initiatives, stressing: “children are the responsibility of their parents and their communities which is a principle that cannot be differed. Because the children are the starting point of our future, and the basis of the family. Any type of abuse will negatively affect them and the society in the future, and we must make sure that our children grow up without fear.”

Al Mansouri thanked the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children for offering this opportunity for Dubai Courts to play a role in supporting a noble humanitarian effort and noble humanitarian mission. He also called for intensifying these campaigns and not only for certain months of the year.

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) is the first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE for women and children victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. It was established in July 2007 to offer victims immediate protection and support services in accordance with international human rights obligations.

Photos: