Workshop discusses children's rights

Muscat, Feb 24

The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) organised a workshop on children's rights in Ramadhan under the slogan 'A Conscious Vision' for psychologists, parents and representatives of the Omani Women's Association.

Noura al Subhi, MoSD's Director of the Child Affairs Department, said: “The workshop aimed to raise parents' awareness on children's rights in Ramadhan, provide solutions to the challenges that children and their parents may face during the month, and develop the skills of parents and specialists in providing an appropriate and safe environment for the child.”

Also, it is looking to provide parents with the skills and foundations that help them promote Islamic values in the child, and promote the health of children during Ramadhan through awareness of nutrition and the importance of physical activities.

The workshop included a number of working papers. 'Our children between screens, gatherings, protection strategies and balanced use', presented by Ahmed Thabet Hilal, SQU, talked about the problems faced by the children like disturbed, insufficient sleep, obesity, behavioural problems, delayed development of language and social skills due to excessive use of social media. He also discussed strategies to reduce screen time, ways to become role models, involving children in decision making, earning trust, sharing numbers to call for help in emergency cases and teaching them how to protect themselves, which gives them confidence and enhances a sense of security.

Ali al Ghailani, a social guidance supervisor at the Ministry of Education, in his working paper explained about the awareness of children’s rights in Islam, represented in care and upbringing, protection from violence, protection from exploitation, social care, education, and the role of school staff in educating students the spirit of cooperation and solidarity during the month of Ramadhan.

Yahya al Rashidi, a preacher at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, also explained the rights of the child in Ramadhan by educating them about the rulings, duties and conditions of worship, the importance of investing precious time in this blessed month, and instilling religious values.

Mawia al Baridi, a social specialist at the National Centre for Autism, said Ramadhan objectives can be invested in building social and emotional skills in children especially for those with autism spectrum disorder.

In another presentation, Wajdan al Jahwari, a nutritionist at the Ministry of Health, mentioned the gradual encouragement of children to fast, and the general nutritional guidelines for children who do not fast, such as maintaining the usual meal times, monitoring children’s nutrition in Ramadhan, and nutritional and health guidelines during the fasting period.