Latest news with #SSSD
Sharjah 24
27-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SSSD promotes children's awareness of their rights
International Child Helpline Day The initiative coincides with the International Child Helpline Day. On this occasion, SSSD organises awareness campaigns and a variety of activities targeting government and private schools, as well as child-focused centres across Sharjah. The aim is to highlight the importance of the child helpline in offering protection and support for children. The campaign is delivered by a team of social workers, legal researchers, psychologists, and social educators from the Child and Family Protection Centre, along with the Social Education Department and educators from the Department's branches. These sessions are being held in both public and private schools throughout the emirate. A safe environment that respects dignity The initiative targets 575 children across Sharjah, providing educational and awareness programs designed to inform them of their fundamental rights and empower them to report and seek help in the event of abuse or neglect. This initiative is part of SSSD's broader vision to support all children, including those with disabilities, by raising their awareness within a safe environment that respects their rights and preserves their dignity. The program also aims to help children understand their rights, equip them with the tools they need to protect themselves, and ensure an environment that fosters healthy and safe development. A range of rights are covered Fatima Al Marzouqi, Director of the Child and Family Protection Centre, stated that these awareness programs are part of SSSD's ongoing efforts to safeguard children's rights and increase their awareness. She explained that SSSD is constantly working to provide all necessary means to ensure a decent life for children and to enable their healthy growth so they may become active contributors to society. Al Marzouqi added that the initiative extends beyond the city of Sharjah and includes all cities within the emirate in a comprehensive step targeting child-focused centres to ensure the message reaches children of all backgrounds. She noted that SSSD, through the Child and Family Protection Centre, continues to strengthen its efforts to protect children from all forms of abuse and neglect. This reflects the department's vision of building a safe and supportive community for children. She pointed out that the "I Have a Voice" initiative is one of the specialised programs that contributes to instilling the values of justice, equality, and dignity in children while fostering an ideal environment that guarantees their rights and supports their future aspirations. Focus on children's fundamental rights The program covers a series of core topics that focus on children's fundamental rights. These include the right to a dignified life and government support to meet their basic needs, as well as the right to justice, healthcare, and education to promote equality and ensure equal opportunities. It also addresses protection from abuse and exploitation, the promotion of community safety for children, and the right to express opinions and participate socially key factors in ensuring that children feel empowered and integrated. In addition, it offers special care for children with disabilities tailored to their unique needs and requirements. The program also ensures a balance between protection and leisure by promoting the right to play, recreation, and privacy.
Sharjah 24
17-04-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SSSD launches new phase of awareness ambassadors prog
The new module continues the mission by instilling family-oriented values and reinforcing the importance of intergenerational respect, especially towards parents and grandparents. It targets approximately 800 participants between the ages of 6 and 17 from within the community, with enrolment now open via the department's official website: Empowering children to lead family-centred change According to Maryam Majid Al Shamsi, Director of the Branches Sector at SSSD, the 'Respect for Parents Ambassadors' programme is designed to raise awareness among children about the importance of honouring one's parents. It encourages children to take active roles in organising events and awareness sessions that target families—specifically parents and caregivers—through knowledge-based and media-supported engagement. These initiatives are implemented in partnership with key stakeholders across the emirate. Al Shamsi highlighted the programme's multifaceted goals, including fostering a generation that is socially aware, emotionally connected to their families, and equipped to contribute meaningfully to society. The curriculum promotes intergenerational communication and creates joint child-parent activities to strengthen familial ties. Core values such as responsibility, compassion, sustainability, and respect for the elderly are central to the programme's philosophy. Children's skills in awareness creation and public engagement are also a priority, as these competencies are seen as foundational for their future roles in society. To guide participants, a comprehensive manual has been developed, detailing all programme pillars and requirements for earning the title of 'Respect for Parents Ambassadors.' Looking ahead: expanding future awareness themes Al Shamsi praised the department's strategic vision for expanding the 'Awareness Ambassadors' initiative, noting that several future modules are already in development. Among them is the 'Ambassadors of Protection' module, which will teach children how to identify and avoid various forms of abuse. Another upcoming component, 'Ambassadors of Volunteering,' aims to instill a culture of volunteerism and community service in children from an early age. These future initiatives are considered a natural extension of the department's evolving awareness strategy, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing a well-informed and socially responsible generation. Innovative peer-led learning for real-life impact The 'Awareness Ambassadors' programme stands out as a community-rooted initiative that professionally and creatively prepares children and adolescents to become active messengers of social awareness. The model emphasises peer-to-peer education, believing that children can influence one another more effectively due to shared experiences and communication styles. Participants are equipped with a blend of cognitive, practical, and media-related skills. The programme employs modern, age-appropriate methods to enhance the reach and resonance of its messages. By enabling young people to share knowledge with their peers, the department aims to create a ripple effect that embeds social values more deeply within the community. Each programme module is carefully selected based on real data and societal needs assessments. This ensures that every topic aligns with the actual challenges facing children today, enabling the creation of purposeful and impactful awareness campaigns. Programme goals at a glance: • Develop socially aware young ambassadors who deliver messages derived from their daily experiences, ensuring that the content resonates authentically among peers. • Create a sustainable leadership model where the child drives the content and direction of the awareness initiatives. • Foster leadership skills and personal growth through engaging, constructive activities that boost confidence and independence. • Promote cross-sector collaboration by involving all child-focused entities to contribute their expertise to building a well-rounded support system.
Gulf Today
15-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Emirati family adopts fourth child through Sharjah Social Services
The Children Social Care Home, affiliated with the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD), handed over the fourth child designated for adoption in 2025 to the foster family, an initiative which reflects the UAE community's commitment to values of compassion and solidarity, highlighting the role of Emirati families in supporting children deprived of a suitable family environment. The adoption process was completed after the family met the department's criteria, including social, psychological, and economic evaluations, to ensure their ability to provide a stable, secure, and nurturing environment for the child. Hanan Al Khayyal, Director of the Children Social Care Home, emphasised that this initiative is a significant achievement in promoting humanitarian values. She encouraged Emirati families to consider fostering children, highlighting the immense reward and profound impact such a step has on both the child's life and society.
Sharjah 24
26-03-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
"Ramadan Nights" brings joy to family members in Al Madam
The SSSD's Al Madam branch organised "Ramadan Nights" in partnership with government institutions, with citizens actively participating. Sharing joy of Ramadan Aisha Abdullah Al Ketbi, Director of the SSSD's Al Madam branch, stated that, in accordance with the department head's directives and the country's vision for 2025 as "The Year of Community," Al Madam branch was eager to share the joy of the blessed Ramadan nights with the local community through a variety of activities and events that were well received by children and families. Al Ketbi informed "Sharjah 24" that "Ramadan Nights" featured an exhibition for productive families, a small traders' market, a children's movie, a memory-sharing session, a henna zone, and a variety of cultural and sporting events.
Sharjah 24
02-03-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Women's Protection Centre empowers women
The Women's Protection Centre works to provide distinguished support to women victims of violence through shelter, rehabilitation, and psychological, social, legal and health care services, with the aim of enabling them to return to their normal lives and integrate them into society effectively. Intilaqah Through "Intilaqah" programme, the centre provides members with educational and professional opportunities to improve their material and moral level, while ensuring the protection of their rights and raising the level of their social and economic capabilities. Mariam Ismail, Director of the Women's Protection Centre, reviewed some of the success stories achieved thanks to the support provided by SSSD, such as the case of a woman whose family problem was resolved after the centre intervened to convince her family to marry her off, and another was a girl who grew up in difficult circumstances after her parents separated, where she was housed in the centre after problems with one of her relatives, thanks to the intensive support, the girl joined the national service, and succeeded in joining the military, where she now works independently and visits the centre regularly to receive aftercare. Ismail confirms that these stories represent great achievements that demonstrate the actual success of the centre in helping women adapt to their communities, and giving them opportunities for self-realisation and development. Kafa'at As part of the centre's achievements during the year 2024, the Women's Protection Centre received certificates of appreciation for its excellence in the 'Kafa'at' programme, organised by SSSD, in addition to implementing field visits to exchange experiences with similar institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, which enhances cooperation and confirms the success of the centre's strategies in providing integrated support to women. The centre also demonstrated excellence at the level of female members, as one of the members won first place in the Holy Quran competition in the 13-19 age category, while another won second place in the 6-12 age category, which reflects the centre's insistence on improving the educational and cultural level of women. Ahwal Among the centre's notable achievements is the launch of the media programme "Ahwal" presented by Mariam Ismail, where this programme presents women's issues from legal and social aspects and works to raise awareness in society about the importance of women's rights, within the framework of promoting legal and societal culture. The episodes that have been broadcasted so far have achieved great success, and the episode "I decided to live by myself", which discusses the impact of rash decisions on women's lives, has achieved more than 6,424 views, indicating the extent of the programme's impact on society. The Women's Protection Centre in Sharjah represents a vital model in supporting women and enhancing their position in society, as it adopts comprehensive empowerment as one of its most important priorities, to achieve a balance between women's rights and duties, and to guarantee them a dignified and independent life away from violence and marginalisation.
