Tuesday 26 / November / 2024
Muscat: Positive parenting behaviour, mental health, greater inclusion of disabled children, and working towards ending violence against minors are some of the areas given greater attention by UNICEF Oman and the Children First Association, which recently renewed a partnership to promote child welfare.
Efforts to create better lives for children include awareness programmes for the public in the areas of health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, and early learning.
The partnership between UNICEF Oman and CFA – first signed in 2018 owing to a shared vision of empowering and protecting children - has to-date helped to accelerate progress towards fulfilling every child’s rights while building knowledge around the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Our children are the future. We need to invest in them, nurture them, and provide them with a sustainable environment in which they can thrive,” said HH Sayyida Dr. Mona Fahd Al-Said of the Children First Association.
“Renewing our partnership with UNICEF Oman is a strategic step towards doing just that; by reimagining the future for every child in advocating for and creating opportunities, igniting their dreams, and supporting them across every part of their lives, we are ensuring their rights are addressed,” she added.
A non-governmental organisation filed under the regulations of Ministerial Decree No. 117/2009, Children First Association seeks to be a platform to discuss children’s issues in the Omani society, provide support and advice to improve their quality of life, preserve their needs, and respect their rights, all whilst giving them the opportunity to maximise their potential.
Providing better opportunities for children will also help the Sultanate in the long-run by helping provide the skills required for them to make the most of the opportunities available under the country’s Vision 2040 programme.
“Since 2018, UNICEF’s partnership with CFA has aimed to promote our Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) agenda – a pillar of the organisation’s country programme in the Sultanate aimed at enhancing parenting practices, and engagement with the community at the service delivery level for holistic child development – while further strengthening Oman’s commitment towards achieving the SDGs under Vision 2040 and improving the lives of children and adolescents,” said Lana Al Wreikat, UNICEF Representative to Oman.
In this next stage of the partnership, CFA has reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and UNICEF’s joint SBCC programme in the delivery of key messages to the public to increase awareness surrounding positive parenting behaviours, mental health, inclusion of children with disability and ending violence against children, among other related areas for children.
The partnership will also capitalise on UNICEF Oman’s 50th anniversary and World Children’s Day by hosting events throughout the year aimed at engaging and empowering children and young people throughout the Sultanate.
