Sharjah has launched the “Child Safety” Foundation under H.H. Sheikha Jawaher to promote children’s protection, mental health, and legal support in the emirate.
SHARJAH: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued an Emiri Decree establishing a new social institution named Child Safety, aimed at protecting children’s rights and wellbeing throughout the emirate.
The newly formed foundation, chaired by H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, will operate under the umbrella of the Sharjah Family and Community Council. It holds full legal status and the capacity to implement programmes and policies supporting child protection in coordination with local and international partners.
The foundation’s objectives include promoting children’s physical and psychological safety, upholding their right to be heard and protected, and strengthening institutional responses to abuse or harm. It will also recommend updates to legislation, lead awareness initiatives, and create integrated services for vulnerable children.
As part of the decree, a dedicated Kanaf Child Centre will be established under the foundation’s supervision. The centre will provide comprehensive support—legal, medical, psychological, and social—to children who are victims of violence or abuse. Forensic assessments and recovery programmes will be delivered in one facility to ensure a child-friendly process of care and justice.
The foundation is empowered to train and upskill professionals across the child protection ecosystem, host global experts, conduct workshops for parents and caregivers, and build frameworks aligned with international standards. It may enter into partnerships, agreements, and MOUs to expand its impact and bring best practices to the local context.
Funding will come from government allocations, sponsorships, income from foundation activities, and other approved sources, all under the Chairperson’s oversight.
With this initiative, Sharjah continues its long-standing commitment to child welfare and reinforces its leadership in building a safe, nurturing society for future generations.
