Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Launches Two Initiatives for Child Protection and Community Support in Morocco
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and President of the Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation, has launched two new initiatives in the Kingdom of Morocco aimed at enhancing child protection frameworks and empowering local communities.
These projects are part of the foundation’s efforts to create safe and supportive environments for children facing social difficulties, including refugees and migrants, in a country hosting asylum seekers from around 64 nations.
The first initiative, funded by the Al Qasimi Foundation and implemented in collaboration with the Aman Child Protection Foundation (FAPE), focuses on strengthening local child protection systems in the Souss-Massa region. The second initiative, funded in partnership with The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), involves executing programs in major cities across the kingdom through the Bayti Association.
Her Highness emphasized that these initiatives reflect the message of the late Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi regarding the importance of child protection as a fundamental pillar for building strong communities, praising Morocco’s efforts in caring for children and enhancing social protection systems that consider all groups, including citizens and refugees.
During a field visit to monitor project implementation, Her Highness noted that a child’s surrounding environment and influential individuals play a crucial role in shaping their personality and behavior. She affirmed that child protection is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation from the government, private sector, and all community members.
First Initiative: Strengthening Local Child Protection Systems
The initiative, which runs for 17 months in the Souss-Massa region, aims to directly support 740 children and over 5,000 families, along with 180 institutional representatives. The project includes family awareness programs, training for child protection workers, and strengthening child protection units in Taroudant to provide psychological and legal support, as well as facilitating children’s reintegration into schools. It also features mobile teams serving remote villages, applied research, and national conferences for child protection reform in collaboration with local and international universities.
Second Initiative: Caring for Street Children
The second initiative, lasting 18 months, aims to provide direct support and rehabilitation for 100 children, with another 140 benefiting indirectly. This initiative draws upon the extensive experience of the Bayti Association spanning three decades and includes the provision of shelter, healthcare, psychological support, education, and vocational training through an agricultural school program, utilizing organic farming as a tool for the psychological and social rehabilitation of children.
The initiative also encompasses awareness workshops and community programs to strengthen family ties, empower the community to take responsibility for child protection, and address the root causes that lead to children living on the streets.
These initiatives align with the long-term vision of the Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi Foundation, reflecting the commitment of the Emirate of Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates to support social stability and sustainable development for children in vulnerable environments.
