Muscat – The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), through the Directorate General of Social Development in Muscat, hosted a dialogue session on Sunday titled ‘Raising Awareness about Children’s Rights and the Child Law’.

The event gathered around 100 participants, including school students and representatives from children-focused organisations.

A ministry official explained that the session aimed to enhance children’s awareness of their rights and roles in the society, while also discussing key challenges and societal issues affecting children. The event focused on raising community awareness of the importance of providing care and protection for children in a safe and supportive environment.

The session highlighted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, alongside the Child Law issued by Royal Decree No 22/2014.

The law guarantees children’s right to life, survival, and development, ensuring protection from discrimination based on factors such as colour, gender, origin, language, religion, or social status. It also emphasised the priority of children’s best interests in all decisions and procedures concerning them, while recognising their right to participate, express their opinions, and voice their views.

The initiative is part of MoSD’s efforts to promote children’s rights, empower them intellectually and socially, and prepare them to be active contributors to society. The ministry is also working to strengthen the community’s role in ensuring the necessary care and protection for children.

MoSD thanked the public for reporting cases of abuse, adding that complaints can be made through the call centre number 1555 or the child protection hotline 1100.