Sharjah: The Child Safety Organisation (CSO) has launched the Ahl Al Athar initiative under the slogan "Awareness Creates Impact," a programme designed to equip parents with the knowledge and skills needed to promote child safety and protection in schools. The initiative aims to strengthen preventive awareness across school communities and support efforts to keep children safe.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative was launched during an event attended by partner organisations and members of Parents' Councils. It will establish a network of parent ambassadors who will support schools in raising awareness of child safety and protection while strengthening cooperation between families, schools, and organisations working in prevention and child protection.
The four-month initiative will select and train 15 members of Parents' Councils from Sharjah City and the Central and Eastern regions through a structured programme focused on child safety and protection. Participants will receive accredited training and practical tools to support awareness activities in schools and their communities, with impact measured through a clear monitoring and evaluation framework.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Parents' Councils affiliated with the Department of District Affairs, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), the UAE Cybersecurity Council, Emirates Health Services, and Sharjah Broadcasting Authority.
It also supports national efforts to enhance online child protection, including the recent UAE Cabinet decision setting 15 as the minimum age for social media use. The initiative equips parents with the awareness and practical tools needed to address evolving digital challenges.
Speaking at the launch, Hanadi Al Yafei, Director-General of Child Safety, emphasized the initiative's goal to equip parents with practical tools to recognize early warning signs, build trust with their children, and respond confidently to today's digital and social challenges.
Al Yafei added that the initiative seeks to turn awareness into everyday practice within families and school communities, helping to create safer environments for children and strengthen partnerships between homes, schools, and the wider community.
Manea Saeed Al Darmaki, Director of the Parents Councils Department, highlighted the structured training in child safety, communication skills, dialogue facilitation, and awareness delivery provided by the initiative, thanking CSO and its partners for recognizing the vital role parents play in children's development and protection.
Maryam Al Abdouli, Initiatives and Activities Coordinator at CSO, stated that the initiative responds to a need identified within schools and families, aiming to build a network of trained individuals within school communities who can promote child safety and support families and schools.
As part of the launch event, CSO organized a discussion titled "Ahl Al Athar: From Parents' Values to Children's Awareness," featuring Ayesha Al Mulla and moderated by Ghaith Al Hosani. The session explored the role of positive role models and national values in empowering younger generations and strengthening their protection both socially and digitally.
The initiative combines knowledge development, train-the-trainer preparation, and school-based implementation to equip participants to deliver child safety awareness programmes to parents and students. Training will cover six key areas: digital safety, family communication, psychological and educational support, protection and psychological response, social values and positive habits, and responsible media engagement.
Applications will open in coordination with Parents' Councils and partner organisations. Candidates will be selected through an application and interview process based on approved eligibility criteria, with a requirement to attend at least 80 percent of programme sessions and comply with the programme's code of conduct.
CSO said the initiative's impact will be measured through participation rates, training outcomes, school-based awareness activities, and participant feedback. Through Ahl Al Athar, the organisation aims to strengthen the role of parents in child protection, build a community network that supports children's safety and wellbeing, and reinforce cooperation among families, schools, and relevant institutions.
