Proper upbringing of children is a national endeavor that is crucial to the future of the country, says Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, the president of Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), in a message on occasion of National Children’s Day.
In an address on Saturday, Siyam, who also serves as the parliamentary representative for Dh. Meedhoo constituency, he conveyed Children’s Day greetings to children across the Maldives on behalf of himself and his party.
In his address, Siyam said that children mirror the future - stressing that children are not just the next generation but also the embodiment of potential and change for the better.
This makes proper and safe upbringing of children a national endeavor that deserves the utmost priority and is crucial to the future of this country, he said.
In his address, Siyam expressed concern over a rise in forms of emotional, physical and sexual abuse of children.
 
He stressed the need to treat abuse of children, especially sexually abuse, with the seriousness it deserves.
People who commit such vile acts must be stopped and punished to the full extent of the law, he said.
Siyam also said that there is an urgent need to improve and reinforce existing measures to protect children.
He urged all members of society to bring up children with the care and protection they deserve and in the ways of Islam.
“I urge everyone to work tirelessly to bring up our children as well-rounded individuals who love Islam, who uphold our mother tongue and linguistic characteristics, and who are adorned with good virtues,” he said.
He also took the opportunity to condemn Israel for its brutal killing of children of Palestine.
The Maldives celebrates its National Children’s Day on May 10 – commemorating the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.