VALLETTA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Malta officially launched its first child policy, outlining over 100 ways in which children's rights are to be protected on the island.
Among the policy's 110 objectives, are ensuring policymakers are able to understand a child's point of view when formulating policy, equality of access to health services and education, setting up more recreational spaces for children, as well as guidelines for creating a healthy home and school environment.
In general, the policy will tackle five main areas including the home environment, social well-being, health and environment, education and employment, and culture and leisure.
The announcement comes after work on the policy started in 2013 when then president Marie Louise Coleiro Preca was social policy minister, and following the launch of a public consultation last year.
Malta's social solidarity minister Michael Falzon said the policy highlighted the uniqueness of each child, while adopting a life-course approach to children's well-being.
"Children are to be encouraged, guided and assisted to reach their maximum potential, both in childhood, as well as to eventually mature into responsible and active adult citizens, who contribution to the overall enrichment of society," he said.
Furthermore, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Falzon said the policy would seek to promote the well-being of children through the protection of rights and freedoms, the provision of high-quality services, and their active participation across all sectors of society, to "enhance their present and future prospects".
