First Lady Saajidha Mohamed inaugurated the country’s first Juvenile Justice Conference on Saturday.
The conference on the strengthening of the juvenile justice system will be held from 10 to 12 May, the first such conference involving all key stakeholders.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the First Lady called for urgent reform of the Maldives’ juvenile justice system, urging a shift from punitive measures to child protection and early intervention.
She highlighted that many young offenders are victims long before entering the justice system. Citing real cases, she described a 14-year-old boy arrested for murder who had 191 prior interactions with authorities, and a 15-year-old girl, prosecuted despite being a long-term victim of sexual abuse, later exonerated after public and international pressure.
These cases, she said, reflect systemic failures in child protection and early response. She called on schools, parents, and justice institutions to recognise warning signs and intervene early.
The First Lady also raised concerns about the Maldives’ high incarceration rate compared to neighbouring countries, despite lower levels of violent crime. She noted that youth crime and intergenerational trauma persist despite years of investment and policy development.
Urging a shift in mindset, she emphasised the importance of family involvement, particularly by fathers, and stronger coordination among institutions. She challenged stakeholders to close the gaps that allow children to fall through the cracks and abusers to escape accountability.
According to the Prosecutor General’s (PG’s) Office, the main objective of the conference is to seek solutions to the issues within the system through evidence-based approaches. The conference also aims to identify ways to reduce the barriers to collaboration between the different agencies involved in the field and to bring about reforms.
Eight research papers will be presented at the conference being held at Villa Nautica resort, including papers submitted by government agencies, colleges and universities. Two keynote speakers will also participate in the event.
The conference will be attended by sixteen agencies as technical participants including the Prosecutor's Office, United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, Maldives Police Service, Ministry of Social and Family Development, colleges and various agencies. Eleven agencies are participating as observers. The conference will feature discussions, information exchange and panel discussions.
Sessions will include panel discussions, data-sharing presentations, and collaborative dialogues aimed at reducing barriers within the juvenile justice system.
The first Juvenile Justice Act to strengthen the juvenile justice system was introduced in 2020. Since the law came into force, various efforts have been made to strengthen the system.