First Lady launches booklet developed by ARC to mark International Day of the Girl Child

Maldivian First Lady Fazna Ahmed, on Sunday, launched a booklet developed by local NGO Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The child-friendly booklet is on the United Nations treaty, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It was developed by ARC in partnership with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

In a live video address to launch the booklet, Fazna said that CEDAW is a means of providing protection and equality for women girls, and ensures crucial rights for all women and girls.

“When we protect the rights of young girls today, we are securing brighter futures for generations of daughters to come,” she said.

Fazna said that raising a generation of educated and empowered young is pivotal in safeguarding them from the damage caused by discrimination, abuse and social bias.

Similarly, teaching young boys about the rights accorded to women and girls is a cornerstone in eliminating discrimination and bias, she said.

Fazna said that many parents continue to be reluctant to educate their children regarding their fundamental rights due to a long-held misconception that empowering children with information on their rights may have a negative effect on them.

The solution to this is to show children, through words and actions, that rights always comes with responsibilities, she said.

She described the booklet on CEDAW as an important and necessary took to empower children and families, and thanked ARC, UNICEF and everyone who took part in the project.