110 Children Reunited with Families Under Government Programme

Minister of Social and Family Development Dr Aishath Shiham has announced that 110 children formerly in State care have been successfully reunited with their families through the "A Family for Every Child" programme.

The Minister shared the achievement during a press conference at the President’s Office, describing the initiative as a cornerstone of the government's social sector commitments. The programme prioritises reintegrating children into safe family settings whenever feasible, following their removal from households due to challenging circumstances.

Minister Dr Shiham emphasised the importance of family environments for child development, noting that extended separation can hinder the acquisition of vital social and emotional skills. The increasing number of successful reunifications, she said, demonstrates strengthened support mechanisms and effective collaboration between authorities and families. Reunited children are now under ongoing monitoring to ensure sustained appropriate care.

The reintegration efforts have been active since November 2023, in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's pledge to provide stable family environments for vulnerable children.

In parallel, the government is enhancing child protection and opportunities across the atolls. Safe facilities and support services remain available for children still under State care, aimed at fostering independence.

As part of these broader initiatives, 23 students have been provided internship placements, while 40 others have accessed vocational and skills training to facilitate their transition into community life. Several students have also completed the Maldives National Service Programme, which the Minister highlighted as a key milestone in promoting self-reliance and societal contribution among young people.