9. Concluding Remarks & Recommendations In the years since the Maldives became a signatory to the UNCRC, there have been many positive developments towards the protection of children, and towards the realisation of many of their rights such as the right to equality, special care, child-friendly justice and education. These developments have gained speed with the transition to democracy. Maldivian knowledge of children’s right to participation, however, remains scant at most levels of society, especially in situations where relationships between children and adults are professional rather than personal. Children’s right to participation is not recognised in the Constitution and is explicitly provided for in only very few legal and policy instruments. Policymakers know of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, but this knowledge is mostly limited to the recognition that children need special protection. Children’s right to participate in the decisions that affect their lives, and their status as subjects of these rights as envisioned by the UNCRC, however, is not similarly recognised or known. Children’s knowledge of their rights is vague: many know of the existence of the Convention on the Rights of the Child but none have any substantial knowledge of its provisions. Neither the UNCRC nor any other instruments related to human rights and other democratic values are currently included in the school curricula, and are not being taught in schools. The dominant view in the Maldivian society in general is that children should be seen and not heard. The over-emphasis on children’s rights to special protection is the reason for, and also the result of, this lack of recognition of children as persons who have a right to—and are capable of— expressing their own views and opinions according to their levels of development in matters that affect their lives. Institutional Framework There is no stand-alone State institution with the mandate to assure children’s rights as enshrined in the UNCRC or to co-ordinate and oversee various state institutions currently assigned with making and implementing various decisions and policies that affect the daily lives of children. This is a glaring omission to which can be attributed many of the wide gaps that exist between policy and praxis in State efforts to fulfil its obligations as a signatory to the UNCRC. It creates an authority vacuum whereby there is little oversight of the various projects run by the diverse group of institutions for the protection of children. It means that without such a State institution to lobby for and advocate children’s rights, policies formulated often remain un-implemented, regulations remain unenforced and pending legislation remains in the Majlis archives for years. The many problems arising from this lack of a dedicated stand-alone State body for children are further compounded by the lack of an independent body, such as a children’s Ombudsman, to represent the views and opinions of children. Nor are there any institutions such as a Children’s Parliament where children can debate issues that affect their lives and contribute their own ideas to the democratic decision-making processes in the country. The establishment of such institutions would go a long way in ensuring that children’s views are heard, and it will also demonstrate that 68