First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has said that a truly safe society for children can only be built by creating a compassionate and caring community.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a consultation on children’s rights, Madam Sajidha said protecting children requires the collective effort of the entire society. She stressed that every child must be given the opportunity to grow up in safety, confidence and dignity.
She described children as the hope of the nation, noting that the way they are raised today will shape not only their individual futures but also the future strength and wellbeing of society.
Madam Sajidha said caring for children is not limited to meeting their basic needs. It also means providing the emotional, moral and social foundation needed to help them grow into responsible, trusted and valuable members of the community.
She added that child protection should not be seen only as the responsibility of laws and institutions. The strongest protection, she said, comes from the values and practices upheld at home, in schools and within the wider community.
Madam Sajidha highlighted the importance of how adults speak to children, listen to them and set examples for them, saying these everyday actions play a crucial role in building a safer environment.
She further said that a genuinely protective society cannot be created through systems alone, but through a community that is aware, informed, compassionate and united in its efforts to protect children.
Safeguarding children is a shared responsibility of parents, teachers and every member of society who has a role in guiding children with love, care and protection.
