Doha: The State of Qatar is demonstrating a robust commitment to enhancing and protecting children’s rights, as evidenced by the establishment of various legal frameworks and the implementation of administrative and practical measures at national, regional, and international levels. This commitment aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Qatar joined in 1992 and ratified in 1995.
According to Qatar News Agency, the State of Qatar has developed mechanisms like the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre (Aman) under the Qatar Foundation for Social Work to bolster child protection and raise awareness in this vital area. Qatar is also investing heavily in education, with government initiatives providing quality educational opportunities for both citizens and residents. In 2019, the country allocated approximately 3.3 percent of its GDP to education, one of the highest rates in the Middle East and North Africa, amounting to nearly QR 1
9.2 billion (USD 5.3 billion).
Moreover, Qatar is leveraging technological advancements to further children’s protection and education rights. In 2018, the Qatar Social Work Foundation launched the ‘Help Me’ app, enabling children to seek assistance via mobile phones if harmed. Qatar’s regional and international initiatives are also noteworthy, including the “Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict” program and the Educate A Child (EAC) program, which has successfully enrolled 10 million children in schools across 50 countries.
Further highlighting its commitment, Qatar has partnered with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and hosts the Doha-based Analysis and Outreach Hub. Collaborations with UNICEF have also been fruitful, with a 10-year partnership through Qatar’s Education Above All Foundation (EAA) positively impacting over five million children and young people in 17 countries. This partnership was celebrated in the “A Decade of Dream
s” exhibition in New York on September 13, 2023.