The 5th Arab Regional Conference on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect opened in Dubai today under the patronage of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

The event brought together regional experts and professionals in the field of preventing child abuse and neglect to discuss the latest scientific development and best practices to stop abuse against children.

Themed "From legislation to implementation", the event presents an opportunity for Arab countries to illustrate and share their achievements and experiences in the field of child protection against violence.

The conference is organised by the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, IPSCAN, and the Arab Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, in partnership with the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.

Addressing the conference, Jameela Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public Education said the UAE has been a long way over the past decades in developing legislation that ensure social care and protection for children, paying tribute in this regard to the noble efforts made by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, to ensure a safe environment for children.

Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, for her part, addressed the laws and legislation developed by the UAE to protect children against all forms of negligence and exploitation.

Dr Tufail Mohammad, President-elect of IPSCAN, in his opening speech said the conference is being held on the Universal Children's Day, an annual celebration on November 20. It is also on the same day in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

He said child abuse is a big challenge that needs to be tackled head on since studies show that children are subjected to violence even in familiar settings such as their families or schools and the perpetrators are often people close to them--parents, relatives, neighbours, or teachers.