ABU DHABI// Researchers are studying the UAE's patchwork of child protection procedures to identify gaps that could allow abuse or neglect to continue unchecked.
They hope the result will be a clear, robust system to deal with abused, neglected or otherwise vulnerable children.
The project was announced yesterday - on "Universal Children's Day" - by Unicef, the General Women's Union (GWU) and the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), which are jointly conducting the research.
It follows the federal Cabinet's approval last week of the UAE's first child protection law. The 72-article draft will be debated by the Federal National Council before going for final approval from the Cabinet and the President, Sheikh Khalifa.
Ahlam Al Lamki, head of research and development for the GWU, said the passing of the draft was a huge step forward.
"There are great strides in relation to ensuring children's rights," said Lara Hussein, chief of child protection for Unicef's Gulf office.
For now, there is no standard system for preventing, reporting or investigating child abuse. Instead, there is a patchwork of norms and procedures in different communities.For the analysis, researchers from the ECSSR will compile information about all the country's various child protection-related policies, programmes and services.
An orientation workshop for the project was held two weeks ago; more than 30 institutions were invited. In the coming months, the ECSSR will consult all those bodies.
The results will go into an analytical report identifying current strengths and weaknesses.
"When we have the results of this exercise, the country can strengthen the national child protection system," said Mrs Hussein.
Unicef, the GWU and The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood are also working together on several other initiatives.
Chief among them is the National Childhood and Motherhood Strategy, a set of recommendations on health, education, child protection and children's participation in society that will shape policies over the next decade. A draft is ready and awaiting "last comments" from the institutions involved, said Ms Hussein. "Hopefully by the end of the year it will be announced," Ms Al Lamki said.
A household survey that will gather data about women and children is also being planned. A collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics, the project is based on the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (Mics), which Unicef has used around the world.
"This provides international indicators which will enable the country to compare itself with other countries," Ms Al Lamki said.
Interviewers will target a random sample of thousands of Emirati and expatriate households. The survey is still in a preparatory phase, but versions in other countries have asked about living conditions, marriage, child discipline, child labour, domestic violence, infant mortality, breastfeeding and other issues.
Mics consists of three questionnaires, said Ali Halawi, a regional consultant for the survey: one for the household head; one for women in the household from 15 to 49 years old; and one for children under five, to be answered by their mother. Once the survey is done, the data will fill a new database of local statistics, Devinfo.
Developed by Unicef and already in use for other countries, Devinfo can generate graphs, maps or tables from reams of data on social issues. "It helps the decision-makers see it in terms of graphics, and on the map," said Ms Al Lamki. "You can know where you need to focus more."
A beta version of UAE Devinfo, with limited statistics, will be online before the end of the year.
vnereim@thenational.ae
The White Lotus: Season three
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Founder: Ayman Badawi
Date started: Test product September 2016, paid launch January 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software
Size: Seven employees
Funding: $170,000 in angel investment
Funders: friends
HAEMOGLOBIN DISORDERS EXPLAINED
Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.
Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.
The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.
The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.
A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.
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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Company%20Profile
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The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Superliminal%20
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