‘Children at Fiyavathi at risk of developing mental illnesses’

The report formulated by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and the Children’s Ombudsperson’s Office regarding the recent events at state-run children’s shelter at Hulhumale’, Fiyavathi, has revealed that the children living at the shelter are at risk of developing mental illnesses.

This report was reviewed during a convening of the Parliament’s Human Rights and Gender Committee held today – and the concerns outlined in the report were addressed.

In this regard, it was noted in the report that some of children living in the shelter were already exhibiting signs of mental illnesses – adding that other children living with them might also end up being affected by this.

Noting that there were special needs children in the shelter – the report highlighted the number of staff working in the shelter is inadequate in comparison to the number of children living there, leading to special needs children not being given the additional care and support they require.  It was also highlighted that the lifestyle of other children was being impacted due to this.

Additionally, the report states that different laws apply to children of different ages – whereas children of different ages are placed in Fiyavathi without a proper system, the implementation of these laws has been proven to be difficult.