National Campaign Launched to Protect Children from Abuse
Photo: UNICEF Maldives
A nationwide campaign to protect children from abuse has been launched by the Family Protection Authority (FPA) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The initiative, named Udhuhilan, was inaugurated in Malé with the participation of child welfare advocates and senior officials. It is aimed at fostering a safe and supportive environment for children while addressing the rising concern of abuse cases across the Maldives.
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Today, we launched #Udhuhilan with @FPAMaldives, a nationwide campaign to prevent violence against children at home and in our communities.
Read more 👉🏽 https://t.co/k04hgP5xro#Rakkaatheri pic.twitter.com/KMaaHam2cq— UNICEF Maldives (@UNICEFMaldives) September 2, 2025
Recent statistics highlight the scale of the problem. In 2023, 722 domestic violence cases were reported, with 315 involving child abuse. These incidents included physical, psychological, verbal, and sexual abuse, with many children exposed to violence by witnessing or overhearing it.
UNICEF data further indicates that around 70 percent of children experience some form of violence during their lives, with 40 percent subjected to physical abuse and 30 percent to psychological abuse. Many cases remain unreported, leaving lasting impacts on victims.
The campaign seeks to tackle the root causes of domestic violence and child abuse through public awareness, prevention measures, and community engagement. Activities will include targeted awareness programmes for different age groups, early intervention mechanisms, and strengthened systems for reporting and investigating cases. Support services for survivors are also being prioritised.
Both FPA and UNICEF stressed that community-wide participation is essential for the campaign’s success. The goal is to create a generation that actively prevents abuse and promotes love, safety, and wellbeing for every child.
