ARC in association with FAM, conducts an orientation programme on FAM Child Safeguarding Policy on for staff members of FAM. The Orientation Programme conducted in two sessions at Galolhu Stadium, were attended by more than 38 participants representing all the individual departments of FAM, including coaches and technical staff, media, safeguarding officialsn and administrative staff of Football Association of Maldives (FAM).
The sessions, conducted as part of FAM’s Child Safeguarding Programme, covered areas such as basics of child safeguarding, child safeguarding principles in football, role and responsibilities of FAM staff in child safeguarding, relevant national laws as well as safeguarding concerns and how to identify and report such concerns. The programme also covered types of child abuse such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and bullying and how to recognize signs of abuse and how to report them on providing the help needed.
During the meeting FAM also briefed their staff on FIFA and AFC’s new guidelines on child safeguarding for licensing purposes as well as further training opportunities in safeguarding available online through FIFA Safeguarding Programme.
ARC and FAM signed an MOU to partner in developing a culture that promotes and protects rights of children in football, and to utilize football’s potential to address social issues effecting children. Under this MOU, FAM and ARC will also raise awareness in football community on their role in protecting and promoting the rights of children across the country.