Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, officially opened the Third Edition of the Child Safety Forum Sharjah 2025 on Wednesday at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre. This important event, held under the theme “Protect Their Innocence,” brought together leaders, experts, parents, and professionals focused on the safety and well-being of children.
The forum reflects Sharjah’s deep commitment to child protection in an era of fast social and digital changes. It offers a unique platform for meaningful dialogue, sharing ideas, and shaping future policies to ensure every child’s safety and emotional health.
Sharjah’s Vision for Child Safety
Sharjah has long been dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment for children and families. This forum highlights the Emirate’s continuous efforts to build a strong social protection system that covers all aspects of a child’s life from physical safety to emotional and psychological care.
At the heart of this vision is the belief that the family is the foundation of society. A healthy, supportive family environment is essential for raising confident, secure children who can grow and thrive. Protecting childhood innocence and well-being is not just a social responsibility but a moral duty shared by all.
A Call to Parents: The First Line of Protection
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi spoke passionately about the role parents play in child protection. She reminded parents that being present in their children’s lives by listening, guiding, and reassuring them is the most effective way to keep them safe.
She emphasized that child protection is not just a choice but a sacred trust, a duty that all parents must honor. She encouraged parents to invest quality time with their children, explaining that this closeness builds children’s confidence and inner security, helping them face life’s challenges without fear.
The message was clear: the family is the first line of defense against the many risks children face today.
Facing Modern Challenges
One of the major themes of the forum was the rapidly changing world children live in today. With the rise of digital technology and social media, children are exposed to ideas and influences their parents may find hard to control or even understand.
This digital invasion can bring both benefits and risks. While technology connects children to knowledge and friends, it can also expose them to harmful content, cyberbullying, and emotional stress.
The forum highlighted that protecting children today requires more than physical safety; it means protecting their digital lives and emotional spaces as well.
Understanding and Supporting Children’s Emotional Needs
Modern child protection is about understanding children’s feelings, even those they cannot easily express. Parents and caregivers must be alert to signs of distress and provide emotional support that helps children feel safe and valued.
Creating an environment where children can speak openly without fear is vital. Encouraging children to share their thoughts and emotions builds trust and helps prevent hidden problems from growing.
The forum stressed that parenting today must combine awareness, empathy, and communication skills to meet the emotional challenges children face.
Building Psychological Immunity
A key idea discussed was the concept of psychological immunity. This means helping children develop the strength to cope with challenges, stress, and negative influences in a healthy way.
This immunity grows from a stable home environment where parents provide clear rules, consistent care, affection, and open dialogue. When children feel supported and understood, they develop resilience that protects their mental and emotional health.
Parents are encouraged to balance firmness with compassion, guiding children without fear or punishment but with clear boundaries and loving support.
The Vital Role of Fathers
The forum also highlighted the special role fathers play in their children’s development. Fathers help shape their children’s character, build emotional security, and foster trust.
Active father involvement promotes balanced parenting by combining firmness and affection. Fathers serve as role models who influence behavior and attitudes across generations.
Discussions included ways fathers can bridge the digital gap to better understand and connect with their children’s world, strengthening family bonds in a technology-driven era.
Breaking the Silence Around Child Stress and Abuse
Fear of social judgment often stops children from speaking up about problems such as stress, bullying, or abuse. The forum addressed the importance of creating family and community environments where children feel safe to express themselves.
Reducing stigma around mental health and behavioral issues is essential. When children are encouraged and supported to share their experiences, early intervention and support become possible.
Building such open, accepting spaces requires effort from parents, schools, and society at large.
Interactive Experiences: Walking in a Child’s Shoes
One of the most impactful features of the forum was the Emotion Room, an interactive space designed to help adults experience a child’s emotional world.
Through sensory and auditory experiences, participants gained insight into the feelings of love, fear, neglect, and compassion a child might experience. This immersive tool deepened understanding of the emotional impact of different family environments and reinforced the need for kindness and care.
Engaging the Community in Child Protection
The forum included a Law Platform where attendees learned about existing child protection laws and had the opportunity to suggest improvements. This engagement reflects Sharjah’s belief that community involvement is key to building stronger protection systems.
By inviting public participation, Sharjah promotes transparency and collective responsibility in shaping policies that keep children safe.
Sharjah: A Baby and Family-Friendly Emirate
Sharjah’s accreditation as a Baby and Family-Friendly Emirate reflects its long-standing dedication to family welfare. This title is the result of decades of continuous efforts to create a society where children grow up in safe, supportive environments.
The Child Safety Forum Sharjah builds on this legacy by addressing modern challenges and paving the way for policies that protect children today and in the future.
Supporting the United Arab Emirates’ Year of the Family 2026
The forum’s timing coincides with the United Arab Emirates’ declaration of 2026 as the Year of the Family, a national initiative placing families at the center of development efforts.
The forum reinforces this vision by focusing on the family’s critical role in child safety and well-being. It provides recommendations and strategies that support families as the backbone of child protection.
Moving Forward: Protecting Childhood Innocence Together
The Child Safety Forum Sharjah 2025 is a landmark event that strengthens Sharjah’s position as a leader in child protection. It demonstrates the Emirate’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive environment where children’s innocence and rights are preserved.
Through collaboration between families, experts, authorities, and the community, Sharjah continues to build a future where every child is valued, protected, and supported to reach their full potential.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi’s call to parents is a powerful reminder that child protection begins at home:
“Be the steadfast anchor of support they always return to, and the watchful eye that perceives what they cannot put into words.”
Practical Tips for Parents from the Forum’s Insights
Spend quality time with your children daily by listening and engaging with their feelings.
Create open communication by encouraging children to express themselves without fear.
Monitor digital activities and help children navigate technology safely.
Build emotional resilience using consistent, loving discipline and clear rules.
Support fathers’ involvement, as they play a vital role in children’s development.
Recognize signs of stress or abuse and act promptly by seeking help when needed.
Participate in community efforts by supporting policies and programs for child safety.
Conclusion
Protecting children today requires a multi-layered approach that combines family support, community involvement, and forward-thinking policies. The Child Safety Forum Sharjah 2025 provides a vital platform to address these needs and ensure children grow up safe, secure, and loved.
Sharjah’s example offers hope and guidance to communities everywhere, reminding us all that the innocence of childhood is precious and worth protecting.
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