Government and UNICEF launches Joint Positive Parenting Program

The joint program, led by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with  UNICEF, aims to empower parents with positive parenting skills so that they can support their children’s growth more effectively from their early years of life and adolescents and help them to attain their full potential and fulfil their dreams and aspirations.  

The five-year program is informed by the Situation Analysis of Children and Youth conducted in 2021 and shows that key child survival and development challenges facing children in the Maldives; -malnutrition, immunization, inclusion, violence against children, gender-based violence, sexual violence, exploitation (including online), and neglect, - can be addressed if parents, caregivers, and families are empowered with positive parenting skills. 

“Wishing all parents, the wisdom, of positive parenting. Today I celebrate 27 years of being a parent and I have to say that I learn something new every day about positive parenting, either from my parents, siblings, daughter, son, other parents, etc. It is a work in progress. I guess it will always be,” said the First lady Madam Fazna.

The Implementation of the joint programme needs support and contribution from parents themselves. Hence, the launch kick-started with the first consultation meeting with parents who attended the event and shared their experiences and challenges and learned from each other. Their views will inform how the program is designed to make it relevant to their needs.

‘As a single parent of five and a widow, my mother is the epitome of strength. Through love, time, and attention she taught us to be kind and empathetic. Through numerous challenges, she showed us resilience and strength. Today, I can proudly pass on to my students what my mother as a parent passed on to me…forever I’m grateful,” said Dr. Aishath Ali, minister for Education.

Through this programme, parents will be empowered with skills and tools to be closer to their children, and promote child growth and development, create a safe environment both at home and beyond for children and adolescent girls and boys, including those living with disabilities.  It will also support parents with strategies to better fulfil their parenting roles and ensure their own well-being so that they can meet their children’s needs.

“UNICEF stands ready to support the efforts of the Government of Maldives, working with the Ministry of Education and other national partners, to provide an enabling environment for parents to be supported in fulfilling their responsibilities for the best interest of their children.  We are delighted to launch our joint programme on positive parenting and especially honored to have with us His Excellency the President, Ibrahim Solih, and the First Lady, Madam Fazna Ahmed who both champion child rights and well-being”, reaffirm UNICEF Representative in Maldives, Marjan Montazemi.

The Joint Positive Parenting Programme is also designed to address the 21 Century challenges and after-effects of the Covid 19 pandemic that exacerbated existing challenges parents, children, and adolescents face. The programme recognizes that today’s parents are faced with many questions, issues but also opportunities.