During his visit to the Child Protection Center in Al-Qudaibiya and Batelco Child Care Home.. Minister of Social Development: Safeguarding children’s rights is one of the main pillars of the ministry’

14-07-2022

His Excellency Mr. Osama bin Ahmed Khalaf Al-Asfoor, Minister of Social Development, affirmed keenness to continue strengthening the social development system in the Kingdom of Bahrain, pointing out that safeguarding children's rights is one of the main pillars of the Ministry's efforts to protect them through a package of laws, policies and programs that support the goals of the comprehensive development process. This came during his visit to the Child Protection Center in Gudaibiya and the Batelco Child Care Home in the Seef area, affiliated to the Ministry of Social Development, to inspect the workflow and ensure the quality and efficiency of the government service provided, within the framework of a series of continuous field visits that His Excellency makes to various centers affiliated with the Ministry. During His Excellency's visit to the Child Protection Center, which works to protect children up to the age of 18 from all forms of abuse and neglect, the Minister met with officials and employees working in the center, and discussed with them a number of plans to develop work, in addition to the mechanism for assessing and following up cases of violence against children, and the measures taken in their regard, as the center directly receives all reports related to child abuse, in addition to cases transferred from the relevant authorities. His Excellency also listened to a briefing on the mechanism of receiving incoming calls on the free 998 child helpline, as the line works in complete confidentiality to guide and guide children, and provide appropriate options to solve their problems, in a way that contributes to preserving their rights and developing developmental services provided to children. During the inspection visit to the Batelco Child Care Home, which takes care of several categories of children, orphans and children from divided families up to the age of fifteen, and boys over the age of eighteen, the Minister was briefed on the main departments of the center, which operates around the clock, and was reassured that all the necessary supplies are available to keep the children in a safe and supportive environment for them. The Minister also discussed with those in charge of Batelco House the most prominent living, social, health, psychological and recreational services provided to children, directing his Excellency all workers to intensify efforts to enhance development programs and provide all requirements to improve the level of services provided to beneficiary groups of children.