Kuwait shines light on child rights amid pandemic

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s human rights office said on Sunday that as the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus crisis, a child rights approach should be a pivotal part of its response to the pandemic. With their academic futures thrown into limbo because of the coronavirus, children have had to withstand the devastating effects of the pandemic, which has upended their social lives, Kuwait’s human rights watchdog said in a statement.

An ad hoc committee looking into child rights has been formed to ensure that Kuwaiti children, who are entitled to free and compulsory education, are not deprived of their right to learn in the midst of these trying times, the statement highlighted. Another aspect the committee would be taking into account is child healthcare, the statement highlighted, with greater attention given to kids growing up in dysfunctional families who are often prone to emotional neglect, it added.

Measures will also be taken to protect children from violence, whether its domestic trouble or skirmishes at school, including setting up a hotline that would make reporting such abuse much easier, it revealed. The local media will be joining this collective endeavor as well, with a campaign set to be rolled out to create more awareness on the matter across various state bodies, aiming to make sure that the inalienable rights of children are never disregarded, it said. — KUNA