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Ministry of Social Affairs Launches 2026–2029 National Plan for Child Protection Under the Slogan "Childhood Without Protection… A Future Without Security"
Ministry Media / Capital, Aden
Monday, November 18, 2025
Under the gracious patronage of His Excellency Prime Minister Salem Abdullah bin Brik, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor launched this morning in the capital, Aden, the "National Plan for Childhood 2026-2029" under the slogan "Childhood Without Protection… A Future Without Security."
The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Professor Abd Al-Nasser Ahmed Al-Wali, Minister of Civil Service and Insurance, His Excellency Mr. Mohammed Mohammed Hazam Al-Ashwal, Minister of Trade and Industry, a number of deputy ministers, undersecretaries, directors-general, and representatives of UN, regional, and international organizations, as well as civil society organizations.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Zaouri, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, delivered a speech at the event, beginning by welcoming the attendees. He stated, "The launch of our child protection plan coincides with World Children's Day, observed on the twentieth of November each year – a global occasion to renew the commitment to children's rights and enhance efforts to ensure a safe and dignified environment for every child. It also serves as a clear message that our country is steadfast on the path of protecting its children and promoting their dignity and humanity."
Minister Al-Zaouri emphasized in his speech that child protection is not merely a legal obligation, but a fundamental pillar for building a secure nation and a prosperous future. He indicated that protecting children is a collective responsibility shared by the government, civil society, international organizations, and the private sector, noting that it is a moral and humanitarian responsibility before being an institutional or legal one.
Minister Al-Zaouri clarified that this plan is the fruit of comprehensive national efforts, developed by a team from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), a select group of specialized academics from the universities of Aden, Hadramawt, and Taiz, and a number of international experts and civil society organizations. The aim is to strengthen an integrated system for protecting children from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. He pointed out that the plan is based on the principles proclaimed in the United Nations Charter and the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Minister Al-Zaouri touched upon the challenges and ongoing conflicts plaguing the country, which have made children the most vulnerable and affected group, with many facing violence, displacement, and loss of access to education and healthcare. He affirmed that the violations against childhood occurring in some areas constitute a humanitarian catastrophe by all standards, necessitating that everyone redouble efforts and elevate the level of national and international response to protect this generation.
Regarding the achievement of the plan's objectives, Minister Al-Zaouri confirmed that it requires funding of approximately $351 million to meet the needs of just 20% of children requiring child protection services, which amounts to nearly 504,000 children, in addition to building the capacities of about 27,000 national personnel across various relevant sectors.
At the conclusion of his speech, His Excellency extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to all who contributed to the preparation of this plan, including the Ministry's staff and the technical team, partners in the government, UN and international organizations – foremost among them UNICEF – and everyone who supported and contributed to the accomplishment of this significant work for a country that embraces its children, protects their dreams, and builds their future with hope and peace.
The "National Plan for Child Protection 2026–2029" focuses on 12 governorates: (Aden, Hadramawt Coast, Hadramawt Desert, Al-Dhale', Lahj, Al-Hudaydah, Shabwa, Taiz, Al-Mahra, Abyan, Marib, Socotra Archipelago). It presents a comprehensive vision for developing the state of child protection in the short and long term. The plan aims to achieve its seven strategic objectives through a number of interventions covering aspects related to the legal framework, knowledge infrastructure, national cadres, services provided to children and their families, social care alternatives, in addition to the structure and development of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
Furthermore, Dr. Sahar Hejazi, Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) office in the capital, Aden, delivered a speech expressing her happiness with the launch of the plan and her gratitude to the Yemeni government for the dedicated efforts made in serving the Yemeni people, especially women and children. She extended her thanks to the technical team of the Ministry and relevant ministries, as well as to partners from UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations that contributed to the preparation of the plan.
The ceremony also featured a comprehensive presentation and explanation of the plan and its objectives. UNICEF and the Ministry's technical team were honored. Additionally, a troupe of children presented an artistic performance that earned the admiration of the attendees.
