Bahrain continues to enhance its social systems and advance legislation related to child welfare, Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi has said.
These efforts, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, aim to ensure children grow in a safe environment that enables them to become active members of society, he said.
This came following the issuance of Edict (43) of 2025 regarding the regulatory framework for social care institutions.
The minister noted that the edict reflects Bahrain’s national direction towards strengthening institutional child protection systems and ensuring a safe, inclusive environment that upholds children’s rights and supports their holistic development in line with human values and Bahrain’s international obligations.
Mr Al Alawi explained that the regulations are built on an integrated rights based on professional framework that governs all aspects of institutional child care, including psychological, social, educational and health support.
These plans are based on comprehensive assessments and specialised interventions to serve the best interests of the child.
He noted that the regulations pay particular attention to children with disabilities by ensuring access to an enabling environment, specialised services and educational and psychological support.
The framework also promotes their integration within the institution and facilitates effective communication with qualified personnel, with active involvement of families in the care process, the minister said.
The regulations guarantee a set of fundamental rights for children, most notably the right to protection from all forms of abuse and neglect, the right to education and rehabilitation, the right to maintain contact with family, and the right to file complaints in a safe and neutral setting that protects their dignity and fosters self confidence.
The minister emphasised that all child related procedures, particularly those related to judicial rulings, are aligned with human rights principles, national laws, and international conventions, including the Law on Restorative Justice for Children and their Protection from Maltreatment, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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