UAE authority condemns child abuse video by mother

Abu Dhabi - ECA reiterates UAE's commitment to child rights.

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, ECA, condemned a video that recently went viral on social media, showing a mother abusing her daughter, and described the incident as an awful crime contravening the good moral values of the Emirati society.
"This behaviour runs contrary to foundations of social life, values and authentic traditions of the Emirati people," said an ECA statement issued to WAM on Thursday.
Also read: Mother arrested for torturing daughter in video
The ECA gives top priority to the welfare of children and their care and development.
Responsible for creating a high-quality early childhood development system in Abu Dhabi, the ECA focuses on children's health and nutrition, protection, family support, and early care and education.
The authority commended the speedy actions taken by the relevant authorities to arrest the accused mother and referring her to the Public Prosecution for necessary action. The authority also praised the police's outstanding role in following up all issues, protecting the society, and preserving its security and stability.
"Early childhood is the cornerstone to invest in the development of present generations and empowerment of human resources to keep pace with the progress and prosperity of achieved by the country," the ECA statement emphasised.
"The UAE continuously seeks to develop legislative framework and employ the best global potential and resources to create a healthy, safe and stable life for children. In addition to preventing abuse, assault and negligence against children, the country is also keen on providing decent living conditions to them, ensuring their physical growth and behavioural development," the ECA stressed.
Children's exposure to violence, assault and negligence, especially during their early childhood from birth until the age of eight, negatively affects their physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development, the authority pointed out.
The ECA was established in July under Law No. 21 of 2019, issued by the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
It is mainly responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for early childhood development in the emirate, reviewing and evaluating relevant policies and programmes in coordination with the entities concerned, and proposing legislation, policies and regulations in this regard.

• Abu Dhabi