KUWAIT CITY, Nov 20: Dr. Munther Al-Hasawi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Public Health, emphasized that Kuwait maintains an outstanding international reputation in the care of children's health, which is a key priority for the ministry. Through the Higher Committee for Child Protection, the ministry has established the foundations, plans, and necessary measures to protect children from abuse and neglect.

In an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Friday during the second Awareness Day for Children's Rights, titled Safety of Our Children, Al-Hasawi noted that Kuwait's record on children's rights is unblemished globally, starting with the Child Protection Law and the country’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. He stressed that these actions are not only a legal obligation but also a moral and religious duty to raise a healthy generation that enjoys a dignified life free from abuse.

He added that a dedicated office has been established within the ministry to focus on child protection, and special teams have been formed for this purpose. A 24-hour hotline (147) has also been set up to receive complaints, observations, and reports regarding violations of children’s rights, ensuring confidentiality and the protection of the identity and data of those reporting.

Al-Hasawi explained that the Child Protection Office serves as a model for collaboration between the ministry, other government ministries, non-governmental organizations, and civil society. It is responsible for establishing a multi-sectoral approach to preparing and implementing national strategies and action plans aligned with global strategies.

He reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to continue its efforts in promoting and protecting children's rights, improving their well-being and health, and fully supporting international efforts despite the major challenges the world faces in providing a safe life for children.

The awareness day, Al-Hasawi said, highlights the ministry’s efforts and seeks to raise awareness among the public—especially children—about their rights. It also emphasizes the hotline campaign, through which specialists and therapists receive and confidentially handle reports of violations and abuse.

Dr. Mona Al-Khawari, Head of the Child Rights Protection Office and Executive Director of the Kuwait National Child Protection Program, told KUNA that the Higher Committee for Child Protection has laid the groundwork, plans, and necessary measures to safeguard children from abuse and neglect. She mentioned that the event, lasting two days, includes various awareness and educational activities.

Al-Khawari pointed out that there is a multi-sectoral national strategy for preventing and responding to cases of violence. The committee has taken concrete steps to spread the culture of protecting children's rights, monitor cases of neglect and abuse, study their causes, and propose solutions in cooperation with the relevant authorities.

She highlighted that the efforts of the Supreme National Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights have led to several decisions aimed at organizing and coordinating efforts among government sectors concerned with children, ensuring the best outcomes.

The Child Protection Office, Al-Khawari explained, is responsible for managing cases of abuse and neglect, overseeing the work of child protection teams in hospitals across the governorates, and following up on all related actions, including case evaluations, interventions, and referrals to appropriate authorities. She emphasized that all procedures are carried out confidentially while child victims receive health services.

The office works based on a scientific and systematic plan and takes tangible steps to spread awareness of children’s rights, monitor neglect and abuse cases, and propose appropriate solutions in collaboration with the relevant authorities.

Al-Khawari noted that the programs run by the Child Protection Office aim to highlight issues affecting children, raise awareness of their rights, and monitor violations to address them.

Waleed Al-Khashti, CEO of Relations and Institutional Affairs at Zain Kuwait, told KUNA that Zain is a strategic partner of the Ministry of Health in sponsoring this awareness event, and the company has supported numerous health projects benefiting the community. Al-Khashti noted that Zain had previously collaborated with the ministry on child protection by launching the awareness campaign for the hotline.

He added that the hotline has recently received many calls reporting violations, thanks to the ministry’s ongoing awareness efforts in cooperation with Zain. The hotline (147), established by Zain in 2016, provides a confidential and direct contact point for reporting cases of violence and abuse against children within Kuwait. Al-Khashti explained that the campaign targets all segments of society, including individuals, institutions, ministries, and public benefit associations.