Aisha: Ascertaining child rights a collective responsibility, not Gender’s alone

Gender Minister Aishath Mohamed Didi (Aisha), on Saturday, said that protecting children and ascertaining their rights was a collective responsibility, and too great a task for the Gender Ministry to undertake alone.

She made the remark in her speech as chief guest at a ceremony in Rehendi School held by Maldives Girl Guides Association to celebrate World Thinking Day.

Highlighting on the Child Rights Act which came into effect on Thursday, Aisha noted that Gender Ministry had a responsibility to enforce the new law.

But the enforcement of the new law also involves the responsibilities of four parties; the children, the parents, the local community and the government and its institutions, she said.

“We will not be able to ascertain your rights if we left the responsibility to you children alone, or left it to your parents, or the schools, or the community, or the government alone,” said Aisha, addressing the girl guides and girl scouts in attendance.

She stressed that it was a collective responsibility.

Aisha highlighted the rest of her speech on inclusivity, diversity and tolerance.

No two people are the same, and one must respect and tolerate differences, she advised the children.