Rise in cases of abuse and neglect against children in Oman

Muscat: Over 77 children have died during the last three years due to abuse and neglect, according to the Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC).

Labibeh bint Mohammed Al Ma’awali, an expert on women’s affairs at the Ministry of Social Development and chairperson of the Monitoring and Receiving Reports Committee at the OHRC, said that there has been an increase in cases of neglect against children, leading to over 77 deaths, including cases of drowning in valleys and swimming pools, and forgetfulness in buses or private cars, among others.

Al Ma’awali stated that this year the committee dealt with a number of reports regarding child health care, which it monitored in cooperation with the concerned authorities and civil society institutions. Necessary legal measures were taken by the committee, to ensure a safe environment for the families involved, by directly evaluating their health and psychological state.

This year, the committee received several reports regarding children with disabilities. The reports were dealt with in a manner that guarantees educational and rehabilitative services for this group. The parents of children were kept informed of the procedures followed, in order to enhance awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as their inclusion within society.

Al Ma’awali indicated that the OHRC, in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Social Development, and in partnership with Omani women associations, continues to implement programmes to reduce neglect and abuse towards children in various Governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. This week, the programme was implemented in the Wilayats of Khasab, Bukha, and Dibba in the Musandam Governorate.