First Lady Sajidha Mohamed officially inaugurated the World Children’s Day Art Exhibition, organised by UNICEF Maldives in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Maldives Police Service, and local NGO Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC). The opening ceremony was held at the Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) on Friday afternoon.

The art exhibition, opened to all schools nationwide, and titled “The Island We Want,” featured over 380 drawings by children from across the Maldives. World Children’s Day, celebrated annually on November 20, aims to raise awareness and expedite progress towards realizing children’s rights. The day also commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989, which outlines the fundamental rights of every child.

At the event, the First Lady also launched a child-friendly book by UNICEF and ARC on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in commemoration of the Convention’s 34th anniversary.

Additionally, the top 15 paintings from the exhibition were announced. Following the inauguration, the First Lady took the opportunity to view the showcased paintings.