UNICEF and partners sign agreement of US$ 1.72 million to promote child rights.

UNICEF and partners, including the Government and independent institutions signed the 2011 Annual Work Plan of US$ 1.72 million under the new UNICEF Maldives Country Programme 2011-2015 to strengthen national capacity development for the realization of children’s rights.

The 2011-2015 Country Programme is a framework approved by the UNICEF Executive Board which outlines interventions to support the efforts of government and civil society partners to progressively achieve the rights of all children and especially those who are disadvantaged. UNICEF will support strengthening an enabling environment and building organization, systems and community capacity to deliver quality services to realize the rights of all children. The 2011 Annual Work Plan, in line with the UN Development Assistance Framework, aims to build on the successes of the past and will contribute to achievement of the priorities outlined in the Government’s Strategic Action Plan.

Partners for the implementation of 2011 Annual Work Plan include, Juvenile Justice Unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family, Department of National Planning of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Ministry of Housing and Environment, Ministry of Education, Maldives Police Services, Human Rights Commission of the Maldives and the Maldives Media Council.

Activities identified in the 2011 Annual Work Plan include support to, improve legislative framework for child rights, strengthen the evidence base for policy planning, and to improve capacity of government to deliver improved quality health care and water and sanitation services. Support will also be provided to ensure enhanced national capacity to deliver inclusive and child friendly education, and to scale up services to protect the most vulnerable children and women from violence. UNICEF will also partner with civil society organizations and the media to enhance their capacity for active monitoring and reporting on children’s issues.


UNICEF will continue to assist in raising additional funds to support achievement of results outlined in the 2011-2015 Country Programme for the progressive realization of child rights in the Maldives.