 |
Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC)Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit organisation registered in December 2009, with a mission to protect and promote the rights and well being of children in the Maldives. ARC hopes to be the voice of children in the country, advocating for their health, safety, education and wellbeing. ARC’s main areas of work include advocacy and raising awareness on the rights of children through national outreach, as well as working closely with children’s shelters, including conducting special programmes for the holistic development of the children and organising capacity building programmes for the careworkers. Since its inception in 2009, ARC has launched a number of public awareness campaigns nationwide, including the following: HOPE – aimed at the prevention of child abuse; RESPECT – on anti-bullying and anti-discrimination; HEAL – promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles for children; and Surf Sm@rt – promoting Internet safety for children. ARC has also created a “Child Advocacy Network of Disability Organizations” (CAN DO), as a collective voice of organizations working on the rights of children with disabilities. Address: G. Nooraanee Villa |
 |
Association for Disabilities and Development (ADD)The ADD was registered as an NGO in the Maldives in October 2008, to focus and raise awareness on the plight of children with disabilities in the country especially children with Down Syndrome, Autism and mental disabilities. Phone/Fax: |
 |
Beautiful Eyes Down’s Syndrome Association of Maldives.Beautiful Eyes was registered in November 2012 to provide children with Down Syndrome and their families with proper care, training and assistance and to create awareness amongst the members of the general public. Beautiful Eyes conducts a myriad of life skills programmes for children and also awareness programmes on disabilities. Beautiful Eyes also runs a Down Syndrome Training Centre in Male’ for pre-school children with Down syndrome, through a customized and individualized education plan for each child, measuring their progress and advancement thus providing the best possible educational experience. Address: |
Blind and Visually Impaired Society of MaldivesThe Blind and Visually Impaired Society was registered in the Maldives in January 2010 and advocates for the rights and wellbeing of the blind community. It conducts vocational and life skills programmes, and also awareness sessions for parents of blind children and members of the general public on the rights of children, especially the right to education. It conducts its outreach activities through public television and weekly radio programmes. |
 |
Care SocietyCare Society was established in 1998 and is one of the first NGOs to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in the country. It advocates actively on behalf of children with disabilities, helps build capacity in community based organisations and provide assistance to survivors of natural disasters. Care Society runs the Care Development Centre, which focuses on providing rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities. It has also been active in conducting community based rehabilitation programmes in different islands, and is also affiliated with a number of international organisations such as the Asian Disaster Risk Reduction Network.
|
 |
Maldives Association of Physical Disabilities (MAPD)The MAPD was registered in the Maldives in May 2013 to support and empower children and persons with physical disabilities. With an emphasis on physical disabilities, MAPD aims to raise public awareness on the challenges and difficulties faced by children and persons with physical disabilities. It conducts awareness programmes in various islands and holds consultations with affected persons and their families in providing advice and guidance to overcome their physical limitations.
|
 |
Maldives Autism Association (MAA)The Maldives Autism Association was registered in the Maldives in January 2010 to assist autistic children to attain their full potential and to improve their quality of life. The Autism Centre in Male’, run by the MAA provides specialized treatment tailored to individual needs of children and also provides educational opportunities for children with learning difficulties. MAA conducts a number of outreach activities through local media, and participates actively in awareness raising events – notably the Autism Awareness Day.
|
Maldives Deaf Association (MDA)The MDA was registered in the Maldives in September 2008 to empower and promote the rights of the deaf community in the country. Through various awareness programmes, the MDA aims to raise public awareness on the everyday difficulties faced by the deaf community, as well as to conducting outreach activities and raise funds to support focused programmes for the deaf. These include providing educational opportunities, especially teaching Sign Language for deaf children and training so that deaf children are made aware of their human rights.
|