The Journey of Promise and Progress for Children and Young People
As we close the chapter on 2025, I am pleased to share with you the final edition of ‘The Journey of Promise and Progress for Children and Young People’ newsletter for this year. This edition reflects a unifying theme that runs through all our work: safety and inclusion for every child and young person – a commitment that lies at the very heart of UNICEF’s mission. Throughout this quarter, our efforts have focused on strengthening systems that protect children and ensure they are included, valued, and able to thrive. From homes and schools to digital spaces and courtrooms, every child deserves to grow up safe, respected and supported to reach their full potential. Safe and inclusive education plays a critical role in this vision – schools must be places where children are protected from harm, where diversity is embraced, and where every learner has an equal opportunity to succeed. World Children’s Day reminded us that when children feel safe and included, their voices are powerful. Through vibrant celebrations across Maldives, children shared their hopes for a future where their rights are upheld, their identities respected, and their learning environments nurture confidence, creativity, and belonging. Building on this momentum, we launched our newest report 'Building Futures: Securing Child Rights and Responding to the Adolescent Challenge' – a call to action for bold, collective efforts to create a future where all children and young people thrive. We also launched our ‘Champions for Children’ initiative, bringing together a cohort of leaders committed to ensuring that every child in Maldives grows up safe, included, and empowered. This quarter, Maldives made global history as the first country to achieve Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B – a landmark achievement that ensures every child begins life with safety, dignity, and equal opportunity. Complementing this progress, the Rotavirus and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines were introduced into the National Immunization Schedule; a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to strengthen safety for every child at the very start of life. Reaffirming our commitment to inclusion, we marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by convening partners for a high-level dialogue, calling for sustained action to build inclusive systems – especially in education, health, and social services – so that children with disabilities are able to participate fully and equally in society. These initiatives reflect a shared belief: safety and inclusion are not optional, but fundamental rights. Without safe, inclusive environments, children are left vulnerable to harm and exclusion, undermining not only their individual wellbeing but the social and economic progress of the nation as a whole. Achieving this vision for children is not something UNICEF can do alone. It requires strong partnerships across the Government, civil society, private sector, and communities, all working together to remove barriers and create environments where no child is left behind. As we step into 2026, I invite all our partners, supporters and child advocates to continue this journey with us to as we work to strengthen safety, expand inclusion, and uphold the rights of every child and young person in Maldives. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment, collaboration, and support, which made these milestones possible. Together, we can break cycles of harm, build stronger protective and inclusive systems, and create a Maldives where every child and young person is safe, included, educated, and empowered to shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Dr. Edward Addai UNICEF Representative to Maldives
Safety and Inclusion for Every Child andYoung Person
World Children's Day 2025
This year’s World Children’s Day was celebrated with children and young people at the centre of every activity. The special ‘Mashvaraa’ held to mark the day, convened leaders from the government, ambassadors and partners for a dialogue led by children and young people. At the event, we also recognised ‘Champions for Children’ – a group of leaders who committed to advocating for children and meet bi-annually to advance the child rights agenda in Maldives.
Our new report Building Futures: Securing Child Rights and Responding to the Adolescent Challenge was also launched at the event. The report highlights Maldives’ progress for children, while stressing the need to work together and in different ways to build a future where every child and young person thrives. Special activations were also carried out in our Kudhinnaa Gaathun island, Raa Meedhoo, beginning with a ‘Mashvaraa’ facilitated by our Youth Reference Group members for young people. Discussions centred around their experiences and aspirations, aiming to ensure their voices guide policies and programmes that impact their lives. This was followed by a fun run and a vibrant children’s festival, promoting inclusion and healthy lifestyles, carried out in partnership with Maldives Police Service. In partnership with Maldives Police Service, we also held special awareness sessions on VAC (violence against children) across Raa Atoll, reaching a total of 1148 students (620 girls and 528 boys), 634 parents and 184 teachers.
To amplify children’s voices nationwide, a special assembly message was delivered by children on 20th November in 218 schools, calling for stronger protections, more opportunities, and safer environments for every child across Maldives.
Providing a safer, healthier start in life for every child
Maldives made global history by becoming the first country in the world to achieve Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. This milestone reflects the country’s unwavering commitment to providing a healthier, safer start in life for every child.
Lead by Ministry of Health, and in close collaboration with UNICEF and WHO, two new vaccines – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and rotavirus vaccine – were introduced into the national immunization schedule. This is a reaffirmation of our commitment to protecting every child from preventable diseases and to secure a healthier future for generations to come. We extend our sincere gratitude to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for their steadfast partnership in making this vaccine introduction possible.
A new vaccine is more than a medical achievement; it’s a promise of healthier childhoods, stronger communities, and a more resilient Maldives." - Dr. Edward Addai, UNICEF Representative to Maldives
Fostering disability inclusive societies
To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we partnered with the Department of Inclusive Education (DoIE) and Maldives National University for a special collective impact platform, ‘Shaamilu Mashvaraa.’ The discussion highlighted the need for more sustained collaboration to build disability-inclusive societies.
Additionally, special assemblies were held in 218 schools across the country, where students with special education needs delivered a special message, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity, both in schools and communities.
'Udhuhilan' campaign – for a happy, safe community
As part of our ‘Udhuhilan’ campaign with Family Protection Authority (FPA), we held a series of internet safety sessions in Fuvahmulah City, aiming to raise better awareness on online risks and digital safety. We also held an expressive art event with partners for children and young people, which provided a space for them to share their voices and perspectives on safety through art, performance and storytelling.
As part of our efforts to promote safe spaces for honest conversations, we had an intergenerational dialogue during the quarter where boys and men came together to share experiences, unpack societal expectations and reflect on how compassion can help prevent violence against children in our communities.
Rakkaatheri: Prevention & Response to Violence against Children
For every child, a second chance
During this quarter, we held a ‘Mashvaraa’ on the Child Protection System Performance Index. The collective impact platform built on last quarter’s findings, bringing together key partners to validate the indicators, clarify ownership, and trigger action to build better protection systems for every child in Maldives. In line with our efforts to build a more child-sensitive and rights-based juvenile justice system in Maldives, we held ‘Understanding the Child in the Courtroom’ refresher and training and trainers (ToT) for judges and judicial staff. Additionally, restorative justice training and child safeguarding orientation sessions were conducted for staff from the Residential Rehabilitation Centre and halfway house for children in conflict with the law (CiCL) as well.
For every child, every right is not a slogan. It is a system-wide promise. one that must hold true in every home, every classroom, and every island. - Dr. Edward Addai, UNICEF Representative to Maldives
Building child-safe industries
As part of the 'Rakkaatheri' flagship, we conducted a child-safe tourism training for resort management and staff at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives. This is a part of our efforts to work with private sector partners to empower professionals with the knowledge & skills to build safer, more child-friendly industries in Maldives.
Strengthening gender-responsive and child-centred policing
UNICEF supported the Women in Policing Summit 2025, which highlighted the vital role of women in law enforcement and promoted gender-responsive approaches to policing and child protection.
To further enhance institutional capacity, police investigating officers received orientation on recent legislative changes, child exploitation investigations, and domestic and gender-based violence case management, aiming to advance survivor-centred responses. Additionally, a joint delegation from the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) undertook a study visit to Singapore to observe the Singapore Police Force to explore best practices in investigating child exploitation cases. Insights from this visit will inform the development of a national training programme for Maldivian law enforcement agencies.
Baaruveri: Developing & Engaging Young People
Building youth skills for tomorrow
In partnership with Special Olympics Maldives (SOM), we held a youth-led forum, ‘The Collective Change,’ which brought together young people, aiming to help them build leadership, communication and collaborative problem-solving skills to drive change in their schools and communities.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education’s Sustainable and Integrated Labour Services (SAILS) Project, we conducted ‘VibeCheck’, an initiative aimed at better understanding the experiences and aspirations of young people, specifically those not in education, employment or training (NEET) groups, to improve career guidance services.
We also took a session on climate change at the National Youth Conference, touching on the effects of climate change on children and how young people can meaningfully participate and use their voices in climate advocacy.
Youth Reference Group
The Youth Reference Group (YRG) convened for its quarterly meeting, where members celebrated their personal and professional progress and geared up for upcoming activities. During this quarter, YRG members took part in our programmatic reviews, future focus initiatives and youth-led campaigns.
Climate Smart & Resilient Actions
Climate Guardians in action
Our Climate Guardians had a session with Parley Maldives on the importance of reef symbiosis, better equipping them to take climate-smart action and advocate for environmental conservation to safeguard island communities. Additionally, the Climate Guardians cohort based in Laamu Atoll, ‘ThiVelaa’ organised a waste audit event in the city, collecting over 70kg of waste in just 45 minutes – highlighting the need for community efforts to maintain clean, safe environments.
We also held a workshop on child-centred early warning systems for young people, aiming to empower them with the knowledge on anticipatory actions to strengthen climate resilience.
Youth delegates at COP30
Two youth delegates from our ‘Youth Track to COP30’ initiative were selected to represent Maldives at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This opportunity aims to provide young people with hands-on experience in global climate negotiations while amplifying the voices and lived realities of communities most affected by climate change.
“My key takeaway was that young people aren't just the future, we are shaping decisions today. We can learn, lead, and help raise the voices of children and young people on the frontlines of the climate crisis." – Rafha, 19, youth delegate
Tune into her journey at COP30 in Belém, Brazil here.
Readying communities for emergencies
To mark the International Day of Disaster Reduction, we partnered with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to host the ‘Viluntheri Festival 2025.’ With over 20 partners, the event brought together children and young people to engage in disaster preparedness, aiming to build a more resilient Maldives. Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) workshops were also held in Fuvahmulah City and Raa Meedhoo, leading to the development of the Island Disaster Management Plan and Community Disaster Management Committees, as well as induction training for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and handover of CERT equipment.
Kihineh?: Health & Well-being
To commemorate World Mental Health Day, we held the ‘Viluntheri Mahaasama’ community event with 25 partners, aiming to promote the importance of wellbeing activities for better mental health.
To mark the day, a special message was disseminated at school assemblies across 218 schools nationwide, reinforcing that mental health is just as important as physical health. The message emphasised that emotions and stress are a natural part of life and encouraged students to build resilience through healthy coping skills, such as breathing, connection, creativity, and kindness, helping to foster more supportive and compassionate school communities. We also published an OpEd authored by a young advocate, contributing to a stronger national dialogue on mental wellbeing for young people.
Additionally, a Wellbeing Hangout was conducted at Salahuddin School for 259 students, offering fun, interactive discussions on how to take care of their minds and bodies for better physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Promoting active lifestyles for children
UNICEF signed a partnership agreement with Swim Maldives to launch the ‘Swimming for Wellbeing’ programme, aiming to promote swimming skills, water safety and physical activity for children, young people and families. The initiative will train 100 coaches and support 500 children and 250 parents to learn swimming across four islands, helping them to learn lifelong skills in and around the water and foster more active, healthier communities.
Enhancing mental health response
In partnership with the Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC), Psychological First Aid (PFA) trainings were conducted in Seenu Hithadhoo and Hulhumeedhoo, building community capacity to support children and families in crisis situations. Additionally, a specialised Training of Trainers (ToT) programme was delivered to police officers, equipping them with enhanced skills to respond to mental health crises in a safe and supportive manner. Additionally, a specialised Training of Trainers (ToT) programme was delivered to police officers, equipping them with enhanced skills to respond to mental health crises in a safe and supportive manner.
Driving action for stronger adolescent and child health systems
In partnership with the Ministry of Health, HPA and UNFPA Maldives, we convened partners for a ‘Mashvaraa’ on adolescent health and action for adolescent girls, focusing on progress, gaps and next steps regarding adolescence health and wellbeing nationwide. Building on this dialogue, we led a high-level policy discussion with WHO and UNFPA to prioritise adolescent health and demographic shifts in national agendas. The dialogue centred around addressing rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs), risky behaviours, and demographic changes, calling for investment in prevention and adolescent-responsive systems through a whole-of-government approach.
As part of our work on building systems for disability inclusion and early intervention, we held a second ‘Mashvaraa’ this quarter with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social and Family Development, focusing on early screening and referral pathways. The discussion brought together key stakeholders to strengthen systems for early screening, identification, intervention, and integrated care for children with developmental delays.
Health and wellbeing for children and young people
To promote healthier lifestyles and bring preventative health services closer to communities, we partnered with island councils and hospitals in Baa Eydhafushi, Fuvahmulah City and Thinadhoo City to host Wellbeing Festivals, providing free health screenings and nutrition advice to over 1,500 people. We supported the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to launch the national campaign ‘Dhulhaheyo Dhiriulhun, Ufaaveri Mujuthamau – Healthy Lifestyle, Happy Community’ campaign. Inaugurated by the First Lady of Maldives, Madam Sajidha Mohamed, the campaign emphasises preventive healthcare and healthy living, encouraging communities to adopt nutritious diets and active lifestyles.
Together with the Community Nurse Volunteers NGO and Ministry of Health, we supported the Southern Conference on Community Health and Wellbeing in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo, where UNICEF advocated for integrated, community-based approaches to improving the health and wellbeing of children and families in the region.
We also joined the Ministry of Health and partners at Health Expo 2025 under the theme ‘Together Towards a Healthy Generation.’ With stalls by more than 50 public and private partners and dynamic panel discussions, the three-day event attracted over 12,000 visitors, offering interactive health-promotion activities. Additionally, we also contributed to a high-level panel discussion during the Health Policy Dialogue by the Ministry of Health, emphasising the importance of child-centred, preventive health systems.
Sustaining the gains in immunization
Continuing from the recent Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) assessment, weconducted the Immunization Continuous Improvement Plan Workshop in partnership with HPA, turning EVM findings into a roadmap with practical actions to strengthen the immunization supply chain and improve cold chain performance in line with UNICEF and WHO’s global standards.
Kaamiyaabu: Education & Learning
Enhancing teachers’ skills
The ‘Enhancing Teachers’ Capacity for Skill-Based Programs through National Trade Testing Certification’ programme was launched in collaboration with the Department of Inclusive Education, aiming to support teachers from 26 schools in strengthening skill-based education across the country.
Co-creating the future of digital learning
Under the Tech4D initiative, we convened key partners to chart the next steps of the initiative, aiming to strengthen digital learning and educational transformation in Maldives.
Strengthening school leadership for better learning
We partnered with the Ministry of Education for Principals’ Conference 2025, where school leaders convened to share insights and discuss best practices for effective school management and the creation of supportive, student-centred learning environments for every child.
Social Policy
Strengthening national data systems
UNICEF Maldives and the Government of Maldives signed an MoU to initiate the next round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) – a critical national data exercise that will generate high-quality evidence on the situation of children and women. The survey will provide policymakers with updated, reliable data to guide programming, planning, and resource allocation in line with national priorities.
Leave no child behind
UNICEF contributed actively to the National Development Plan (NDP) consultations, ensuring that the perspectives and needs of children and young people are reflected in the country’s long-term development agenda. Inputs focused on equitable service delivery, inclusive learning, social protection, child rights, and systems strengthening across sectors.
Advancing evidence-based planning
As part of its technical support to national planning, we advanced work on a macro-fiscal analysis, helping to assess public financing trends for children and identify opportunities to improve budget allocations for key social sectors. The analysis will inform dialogue on sustainable, child-sensitive public finance management.
Beleniveriyaa: Positive Parenting
Digital tools for positive parenting
As part of our ongoing efforts to provide meaningful support to more parents, we have created and curated a series of digital content on positive parenting. By offering these materials online, we aim to ensure that parents and caregivers everywhere can easily access practical guidance and tools to help them on their parenting journey.
Communications & Advocacy
Social media engagement
This quarter, our digital platforms amplified strong advocacy messages led by children and young people. Our World Children’s Day video on ‘My Day. My Rights.’ was shared by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham, garnering over 4 million views globally. Additionally, in collaboration with Maldives Girl Guides Association (MGGA), we published a special video to celebrate International Day of the Girl, highlighting how girls are leading change in their communities.
We also published a blog to mark Human Rights Day with Aby, one of our Youth Reference Group members, reinforcing our commitment to children’s rights, participation, and inclusion.
During the year, we have had a collective reach of over 1.3 million across our social media platforms, sharing key messages related to child rights, youth participation, parenting, mental wellbeing, climate action, and inclusivity.
Stay informed with 'Kihineh?'
We continued to rollout our collaborative work with the Government of Maldives, led by the National Mental Health Department to reduce stereotypes around mental health and promote positive practices. Follow 'Kihineh?' on Instagram, Facebook and X for important tips, resources, and information on how to promote and support mental well-being in our communities.
High-level advocacy and engagements
This quarter, UNICEF Maldives deepened collaboration through a series of high-level meetings and visits. Our Representative, Dr. Edward Addai, met with the UN Volunteers (UNV) regional team to explore ways to strengthen UNV’s engagement with the UN Country Team and national partners. He also held discussions with Ms. Maimoona Aboobakuru, Director General of HPA, on promoting healthy, active lifestyles for children and young people.
UNICEF Maldives welcomed Ms. Francoise Chandler, Chairperson of the UNICEF Global Staff Association, for insightful conversations on staff values and well-being. Additionally, we engaged with the Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Maldives to identify areas of cooperation in support of children and young people.
Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation
We completed the annual year-end reporting and programme review, bringing together programme sections and partners to assess progress, identify implementation bottlenecks, and agree on strategic priorities for the year ahead. This review ensures accountability, strengthens results-based management, and supports continuous improvement in programme delivery for children in the upcoming year.
Team UNICEF
Gathering insights on the ground
As we prepare for our next Country Programme Document (CPD), we embarked on the ‘Pairs Mission’ initiative to validate key assumptions and strategies on the ground. During the quarter, pairs of UNICEF staff visited more than 20 islands across 10 atolls, engaging directly with communities, island councils, service providers, and local authorities to gather insights on child wellbeing, service accessibility, and cross-sectoral linkages in island settings. By including both large and small islands in each region, the missions provided a balanced view of scale, challenges, and opportunities in delivering for children – reinforcing our commitment to evidence-based programming.
MCO staff retreat
The Maldives Country Office Staff Retreat took place in Kaafu Thulusdhoo this quarter, with one day of the Office Annual Review, followed by two days of retreat activities under the theme ‘Navigating the Tides: From Deep Waters to New Horizons.’ Facilitated by Jolanta Midor, the Regional Staff Counsellor, staff engaged in interactive sessions on psychological safety in the work environment and managing stress and change together. Collaborative retrospectives and social connection activities reinforced team cohesion, concluding the retreat with renewed confidence in navigating the road ahead together.
Saying farewell
This quarter, we bid farewell to our colleagues; Mirza Faris, Health and Nutrition Officer (International UNV Specialist), Mariyam Maasha Ahmed and Fathimath Shehezinee, Child Protection Officers, who contributed significantly to the child health and protection agendas respectively. We also said goodbye to Isy Faingold, UNICEF’s Deputy Representative to Maldives, who oversaw the programmatic components and played a pivotal role in driving impactful initiatives for children and young people. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for their dedication and invaluable contributions to UNICEF’s work in Maldives and wish them the very best in their next chapters.
Looking Ahead
As we approach the beginning of 2026, our commitment to delivering impactful results for children and young people across Maldives remains stronger than ever. Through strong partnerships and collaboration with young people, communities, and our Friends of UNICEF, we continue to drive meaningful progress – ensuring that every child is protected, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Upcoming Key Dates & Events in Q1 2026
January
- International Day of Education (24 January)
February
- Safer Internet Day (11 February)
March
- International Women's Day (8 March)
- World Water Day (22 March)
- International Day of Zero Waste (30 March)
For more information about UNICEF’s work in Maldives, visit