Mai al Abria -
Muscat, Jan 23 -
The recent case of a 16-year-old girl who was found to be three-months pregnant during a hospital visit has once again brought into sharp focus the legal responsibility of parents and guardians towards the safety and well-being of their under-age children.
The distressing episode has also prompted authorities and experts to warn that Omani penal laws can be invoked to punish parents and guardians where parental neglect and negligence is to blame for children being placed in harm’s way.
While instances of teen pregnancy are not entirely uncommon in the local community, the case in question was especially shocking to her classmates when they learnt the girl had been banned from taking her exams.
The case is especially heart-rending because the under-age mother-to-be is one of the six siblings abandoned by the father, with the mother too stricken by mental issues to care for them.
The children are being nominally cared for by relatives.
The teenager herself has since been compelled to marry the man who made her pregnant.
There is concern for the five siblings as they have been deprived of parental affection and supervision.
According to legal experts, parents and legal guardians have an obligation to ensure that children are not neglected to the point they become susceptible to potential harm.
Young kids left to play in unsafe conditions by the road or crossing busy streets unaccompanied are vulnerable to danger.
So are children — girls and boys — preyed upon by sexual predators.
New additions to the penal code now place parents at the centre of responsibility if they are found deliberately neglectful of their children resulting in an unfortunate mishap or untoward incident.
The law stipulates: “The penalty with imprisonment for a period of not less than ten days and not exceeding six months or a fine of not less than RO 100 and not.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
