The Journey of Promise and Progress for Children
As we bid farewell to 2024, I am delighted to share with you the final edition of this year’s ‘Journey of Promise and Progress’, the UNICEF Maldives’ Quarterly Newsletter.
This year has been one of resilience, collaboration, and renewed commitment to the well-being of children and young people across the Maldives. In this final quarter, we are proud of the strides we have made but also look forward to doing more, and doing better next year to address emerging challenges and build on the successes of this year.
During the past months, we have deepened our policy advocacy and interventions on safeguarding children's rights, specifically on advocacy to retain the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 years. In line with our advocacy efforts, we have partnered with the child protection and juvenile justice sector stakeholders to kickoff pilot programs to provide community and family-based interventions to address the rising issue of children in conflict with the law. UNICEF strongly believes that every child deserves a second chance in their developmental journey.
Engagement of children and young people in the climate space remained a top priority, with the implementation of the fourth edition of Youth Track to COP this quarter. As part of this process, young people developed their recommendations for national and global policymakers calling for urgent climate action, and presented it to the Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy. We are proud to have supported Faathima and Izman, two young participants of this year's Youth Track to participate in COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Additionally, we celebrate the successes of our positive parenting program 'Beleniveriyaa', training 170 facilitators and reaching over 2200 parents and caregivers through physical and virtual sessions. We also welcomed the second cohort of the UNICEF Maldives Youth Reference Group - a group of young people who work with us to ensure our programs and interventions cater for their unique needs.
As we reflect on the year gone by, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our partners, supporters, and the UNICEF Maldives team. None of this progress would have been possible without your commitment and shared vision of a safe and sustainable future for every child. Thank you for walking this journey with us, and wishing you a Happy New Year 2025!
-UNICEF Representative to the Maldives, Dr. Edward Addai
World Children's Day: For Every Child, A Safe and Sustainable Future
'Kudhin Bunanee' - An Exhibition Capturing Maldives through Children's Eyes
This year for World Children's Day, UNICEF Maldives in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Maldives Police Service organized a nation-wide photo exhibition open to all students in key stages 1 to 5. Over 250 photos were received with the 25 best photos selected. The thematic areas for the photos included, safe, loving and caring families and communities; healthy eating and active lifestyles; mental health and wellbeing; education and skills; impacts of climate change on children and children and young people's participation in matters that impact their lives and future
Celebrations in Shaviyani Atoll
Since 2017, UNICEF Maldives partners with the Family and Child Protection wing of the Maldives Police Service with the support of other partners in the social sector to celebrate World Children's Day in one of the Atolls. This year's national-level engagements were in Shaviyani Funadhoo, including 'Rakkaatheri' child abuse prevention sessions, an island clean up with the children and community, launching of awareness billboards with key messaging and a children's evening.
Kudhinnaa Gaathun Island Activations
In addition to the main activation in Shaviyani Atoll, UNICEF Maldives also partnered with the Councils of our Kudhinnaa Gaathun islands HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, R. Meedhoo, L. Gan and Fuvamulah City to celebrate World Children's Day. These activations ranged from engagement with children to implementation of UNICEF's 8 flagship programs.
10-year-old Lara's takeover of the UNICEF Representative
Lara Sinaan Saeed, 10 years old took over from the UNICEF Maldives Representative Dr. Edward Addai in a manifestation of our commitment to children's rights and participation. It was exciting to work with Lara and provide her with a platform to express her ideas on issues that matter to her the most. Lara also joined Chief Guest, Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau to launch the 'Kudhin Bunanee' Photo Exhibition.
We dream of a world where every child, regardless of their background or nationality, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. A world where kindness, compassion, and empathy are the norm, not the exception. A world where every child can access quality education, healthcare, and a safe environment. A world where every child feels loved, valued, and empowered. -Lara Sinan Saeed
2nd Child Rights Symposium - Vuna
Lastly, UNICEF also partnered with the Office of the Children's Ombudsperson (OCO) for World Children's Day, to organize the 2nd Child Rights Symposium 'Vuna', focusing on the importance of adequate prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration of children at risk, and children in conflict with the law.
What children become tomorrow is a result of the interaction between their evolving capacities and their environment. All children, irrespective of their circumstances, need nurturing environments—whether at home, in school, or within their communities. This is especially true for vulnerable children and those in conflict with the law, who deserve a second chance to reclaim their developmental journey. -UNICEF Representative Dr. Edward Addai
Rakkaatheri - Prevention and Response to Violence against Children
Multi-Sectoral Community and Family Based Programs for Children in Conflict with the Law
In line with the Government's efforts to strengthen the juvenile justice sector, UNICEF is supporting pilot programs in Fuvamulah City and Male' Area to bring together all child protection and justice sector stakeholders to develop and implement community and family-based interventions to strengthen support services for children in conflict with the law.
Child Safe Tourism
UNICEF continued its work with Plan Hotels to conduct Child Safe Tourism trainings for the management and staff, completing trainings for staff of Diamonds Bathalaa in this quarter. The main objective of these trainings are to equip resort management and staff with essential skills and knowledge to create a safe environment for children and protect them from all forms of violence and exploitation within the tourism industry.
CSO Forum on empowering communities to respond to domestic violence
UNICEF partnered with the Family Protection Authority (FPA) for the 2-day Civil Society Organization Symposium bringing together stakeholders from across Maldives aiming to exchange best practices and strengthen joint efforts to improve support and services for survivors of domestic violence.
IBAMA: Caring Island Communities
Enhancing functionality of IBAMA groups
Support was provided to enhance the functionality of IBAMA groups in Dh. Kudahuvadhoo, Fuvahmulah City, Sh. Funadhoo, Addu City, R. Meedhoo & R.Kinolhas. Additional consultations were also held with stakeholders in these islands to identify the issues associated with the most vulnerable children on these islands.
Community engagement in AA. Atoll
In partnership with the Maldives Police Service, we supported community engagement efforts in all islands of Alif Alif Atoll focusing on prevention and response to violence against children, as well as community-based interventions for children in conflict with the law.
Beleniveriyaa: Positive Parenting
Facilitators Trainings
Within this quarter,in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Society for Health Education (SHE), we conducted trainings for facilitators in Male’ Area, Vaavu Atoll, Addu City and Fuvahmulah City. To date, we have trained 170 facilitators across the country including teachers, school counselors, PTA members, social workers, public health workers, council and WDC members, police officers, civil society members as well as staff of the Department of Juvneile Justice and National Drug Agency.
Physical and Virtual Parenting Sessions
In October 2024, we held a virtual session for parents in line with the International Day of the Girl Child focusing on the vision for the future of our girls. In December 2024, in line with World Children's Day, physical sessions were conducted in 6 islands of Shaviyani Atoll. In total, we have reached 2294 parents and caregivers within this year with Beleniveriyaa positive parenting sessions.
Climate Resilient Actions
Youth Track to COP29
In October, in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy and the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change, we held the 4th edition of the Youth Track to COP29, bringing together young people from across Maldives. This year's Youth Track included mock COP negotiations to deepen young people's understanding of international diplomacy and climate negotiations as well as development and presentation of the young people's recommendations, calling for urgent climate action to national and global leaders.
Meet Faathima and Izman
At the end of the Youth Track to COP29, Faathima and Izman were selected to represent the voices of children and young people of Maldives at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. UNICEF is continuing to work with Faathima and Izman in their role as Climate Guardians to advocate for, and take climate action in their communities.
“Any course of action that is not aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius forces children and young people in Maldives and other small island nations to live with the consequences of global inaction. We are calling for the NDC 3.0 to be more sensitive to our needs.” -20-year-old Fathimath Muhammad Ahmed
“A livable future for us depends on urgent climate action. We are calling on policy makers and world leaders to do more and do better to protect the next generation. Time is running out. Later is too late,” -28-year-old Izman Suhail
UNICEF Australia and Islamic Relief Australia Visit
A team from UNICEF Australia and Islamic Relief Australia - our partners for the Climate Guardians initiative undertook a mission to Maldives in December 2024. Through the support of partners, we are working towards increasing the number of Climate Guardians across the country, and equipping them with the relevant knowledge and skills to take climate action in their communities. The partnership also includes working with the Government authorities to strengthen climate-resilient social services for children.
Climate Guardians in Action
This Quarter, the Climate Guardians of the greater Male' area organized their first event, a cleanup in Male', with support of Parley Maldives. A total of over 110 kgs of plastic and other litter were collected at the event. During the partner mission to Laamu in December, the Climate Guardian cohort based in Laamu Atoll also organized a beach cleanup in partnership with Maldives Association for Tourism Industry (MATI) and Parley Maldives and collected over 170 kgs of litter in one hour.
Youth Consultations on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0
Additionally, our Climate Guardians also joined the youth consultation organized by the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy to provide their ideas and inputs on making the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 more child- and youth- friendly.
Kaamiyaabu - Education and Learning
THAIBA: National Teacher Training Program
Supported by the grants leveraged by UNICEF Maldives through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the Government of Maldives launched a National Teacher Training Program aiming to train students in subjects where there are teacher shortages, focusing on specific islands and needs.
TechPath Implementation
UNICEF Maldives in partnership with Google for Education is continuing to support the Government to implement the pilot program on digital learning 'TechPath' launched in August 2024. In this quarter, Chromebooks have been delivered to all 15 selected schools and UNICEF is supporting dry-run sessions to kickoff use of the devices in teaching and learning.
Baaruveri: Developing and Engaging Young People
Speaking-Easy!
As part of the ongoing 'Speaking Easy' sessions held in collaboration with Sosal, in October we brought together adolescent girls in line with the International Day of the Girl, for discussions on their vision for the future. Additionally, we organized a 'Speaking Easy' session to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, engaging with young people with disabilities for a conversation on the challenges they face and working together for a more inclusive future.
imaGen Ventures Addu City
In November, we held an imaGen ventures bootcamp with 24 young people in Addu City. Young people came together to understand and develop practical, innovative solutions to tackle issues faced by their communities due to the impacts of climate change.
Youth Reference Group 2.0
This quarter, we also welcomed the 2nd UNICEF Maldives Youth Reference Group. We are excited to work with the new & continuing members to amplify their voices, equip them with relevant skills & tools, and co-create solutions to advance the rights of children & young people in Maldives.
Collective Impact Platform to advance girls' rights
In line with the International Day of the Girl, UNICEF Maldives in partnership with the Ministry of Social and Family Development convened partners for a Collective Impact Platform to advance the rights and wellbeing of adolescent girls.
Kaigen Hin'gamaa: Health and Nutrition
Collective Impact Platform on protecting children from the harmful effects of tobacco and vaping
UNICEF Maldives in partnership with the Ministry of Health held a roundtable for relevant stakeholders for discussions on working together to address the harmful impacts of tobacco use and vaping amongst children and young people.
"Legislative change is a crucial first step, but lasting change requires us to work together to provide children with the tools & support they need to make healthier choices" -UNICEF Representative Dr. Edward Addai
Capacity building of sports counselors
In partnership with the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, we are also training sports counselors from across Maldives on nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Our aim is to continue engagement with sports counselors working in communities and support them to be advocates to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Kihineh? - Mental Health and Prevention of Substance Abuse
Mental Health Support Helpline
The services of the mental health support helpline 1484 was extended to include teachers this quarter. The helpline further strengthens school counseling services by providing mental health first aid for both students and teachers who need support.
World Mental Health Day
For World Mental Health Day, UNICEF Maldives supported the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) to launch ‘Resilient Friends’, an interactive guide for children focusing on emotions and mental health challenges and a card pack for parents and caregivers that offer practical guidance on how to navigate their children's emotional world. Additionally, we also supported the development of a resource book for practitioners and mental health professionals to help them effectively guide parents to support children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Social Policy
Social Protection Budget Analysis
UNICEF worked with the Ministry of Finance to undertake an analysis of the social protection system budget, focusing on gaps & opportunities to make the system more child-sensitive and ensure that no one is left behind. We are also contributing to policy dialogues on the planned social protection subsidy reforms, focusing on enhancing protection and support services for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
UNICEF Maldives also supported the Local Government Authority (LGA) and contributed to the ongoing process to develop the Island Development Plans in Vaavu Atoll to help ensure that development plans are child-friendly and climate-resilient. We are also continuing to support development of island profiles for every island in Maldives in collaboration with the Maldives Bureau of Statistics.
Additionally, our partnership continues with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to build the Vulnerability Information Management System aiming to make social protection services more accessible and inclusive.
Programme Convergence and Equity
Kudhinnaa Gaathun - Aharemen Beynunvaa Rah
The Kudhinnaa Gaathun - Aharemen Beynunvaa Rah initiative saw many milestones this year, including activation of programs in all 10 pathfinder islands, as well as progress working with island councils to make island development plans child-sensitive and climate resilient.
Enhancing Disability Inclusion
In line with International Day of Persons with Disabilities, UNICEF Maldives organized a 2-day disability inclusion training for frontline workers, our partners and our staff. The purpose of this training was to strengthen accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities within the education, health and protection sectors.
Additionally, UNICEF Maldives is working with the Department of Inclusive Education (DOIE) to provide Daleela, 21 an internship opportunity as part of our efforts to increase opportunities for young people with disabilities. Here is a message from Daleela on International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Communications and Advocacy
High-level Advocacy
We hosted UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director Ms. Hannan Sulieman in November 2024. Hannan visited K. Dhiffushi to understand the situation of children in Maldives, met with the Vice President His Excellency Hussain Mohamed Latheef, cabinet ministers, the children's ombudsperson and engaged with our Youth Reference Group and Climate Guardians during her visit.
Additionally, the UNICEF Maldives Representative and team continued high level advocacy around retaining the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 years, advocating to strengthen community and family-based prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration programs. Significant meetings this quarter included the Human Rights and Gender Committee of the Parliament and the new Prosecutor General Uz. Abbas Shareef.
Social Media Engagement
This Quarter, our focus was on co-creating content with children and young people so that we are better able to tell their stories. On Instagram, UNICEF Maldives had over 230,000 views from October to December 2024.
Social Media Collaborations
Stay informed with Kihineh?
We are continuing to rollout our collaborative work with the Government of Maldives, led by the National Centre for Mental Health to combat stereotypes and stigma associated with mental health. Follow us on X, Instagram, and Facebook and stay tuned for important tips, resources, and information on how we can all support mental well-being in our community.
Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
As we moved to concluding the year, our team undertook the annual review process of our work for children in 2024. In consultation with partners, UNICEF Maldives is also planning our programs and interventions for 2025 and look forward to delivering better for the children and young people of Maldives next year.
Team UNICEF
This quarter, we bid farewell to our energetic team member Fathmath Easha Moosa as she embarks on her higher education journey. Easha joined UNICEF as an intern in May 2023. Upon completion of her internship, she worked with us for an additional year. During Easha's time with us, she made remarkable contributions to enhance the communication and advocacy portfolio of the office and make it more child- and youth- friendly.
The last quarter of the year also saw many initiatives by the Human Resource Development and Wellbeing Team of the Maldives Country Office. In November 2024, the team organized a design thinking workshop for all staff, and a 2-day retreat focusing on empathy, team building and efficiency. We also held a cultural event, aiming to better understand the different cultures within the team, and award tokens of appreciation to long-serving staff at the Country Office.
Welcome to the team!
We have also had some exciting new additions to our team, including Aishath Ziva Nasrulla and Fathmath Raaia Shareef as our interns for the youth engagement and climate teams respectively. We also welcomed Fumiaki Sagisaga on stretch assignment from UNICEF HQ in New York to support our education program. Additionally, the health team saw two new additions Abdul Maaniu Abdul Rasheed and Mirza Faris as the new nutrition officers.
Looking ahead at 2025
As we conclude the fourth and last edition of our quarterly newsletters for the year 2024, we reflect on the many achievements and partnerships in our common journey of advancing the rights and well-being of children in Maldives. Looking ahead, we are excited to renew our commitment and strengthen our efforts in 2025 to ensure a safe and sustainable future for every child.
Upcoming key events / days in Q1 2025
- International Day of Education
- Safer Internet Day
- International Zero Waste Day
- World Water Day
- International Women's Day
- Collective Impact Platform - Adolescent Girls
- Symposium on Child-Centered Policing