Today is the UAE's first Emirati Children's Day, as announced earlier in the week by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.
The day was adopted to coincide with the approval of the Child Protection Law 3, popularly called Wadeema law on March 15, 2016.
Wadeema was an 8-year-old Emirati girl whose death shocked the nation when she was found buried in the Sharjah desert in 2012.
She had been tortured to death by her father, Hamad Al Shirawee, and his girlfriend, Alanoud Al Amri.
The law meant the creation of child protection units, and established responsibility on the part of the Government to disseminate information on child wellbeing.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak said the new day will help the country champion children's rights as guaranteed by law without discrimination, according to Wam.
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"The UAE has always and continues to embrace children. Since its union was founded 46 years ago, the UAE has offered great attention to children as they are considered one of the inherent values of the Emirati society, thus, providing them with leading education and healthcare, the fundamentals of establishing a developed, harmonious and safe society," Sheikha Fatima said in a booklet released by the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
