Professional Lawyer Dr. Hassan Elhais details about all you need to know on child protection law in the UAE. For more details, information: https://www.professionallawyer.me/.

1. All You Need to Know on Child Protection Law in the UAE
The child protection law in the United Arab Emirates is the Federal Law No 3 of 2016, also
called the Wadeema’s Law. The Wadeema’s Law protects the overall rights of the child,
including his fundamental rights of life, security and care, family rights, health rights, social
rights, cultural and education rights.
Some of the key rights and protections provided to a child under the Child Protection Law are as
follows.
1. Fundamental Rights
According to Article 7 of the Child Protection Law, every child has the right to life and security
and the child’s growth, development and care is to be guaranteed by the State. The child has a
right to have a name that is not humiliating to his/her dignity or contrary to religious beliefs and
customs under Article 8.
The child also has the right to express his or her opinion freely, which would be in line with his
age and maturity, in harmony with public order and morals and with the laws of the country.
However, the child should express his opinion within the limits of the law. This is provided
under Article 12 of the Child Protection Law.
A child is also prohibited from being employed before the age of fifteen under Article 14 and is
guaranteed protection from child pornography in all forms under Article 13 of the Child
Protection Law.
Under Article 13 of the Child Protection Law, it is also prohibited to harm a child’s honour or
reputation.
2. Family Rights
The child will be provided family safety within a coherent and cooperative family, with the
custodian having the responsibility of raising, caring, guiding and developing the child in the
best way under Article 15.
3. Health Rights
The child is entitled to receive health services under Article 18.
Under Article 21 of the Child Protection Law, it is prohibited to sell tobacco or tobacco products
to children, smoke in private or public transportation or indoor places in the presence of a child,
sell alcohol to children, or import or trade in materials against the approved specifications for
nutrition, food supplies, health or hormonal supplements, etc.
4. Social Rights

2. A child should be provided with a standard of living by the State under Article 22 that is
sufficient for his physical, mental, psychological and social development.
In case a child does not have a natural family (either temporarily or permanently), he/she shall
have the right to receive care either through a foster family or private or public social welfare
institutions. These rights of the child under Article 24 are without prejudice to the Laws on
Personal Status and on Children of Unknown Parentage.
5. Cultural Rights
The child is entitled to participate in recreational, cultural, artistic and scientific programs to
obtain knowledge, innovation and means of creativity. However, these programs should
commensurate with his/her age, public morals and order under Article 25.
Games which address a child’s sexual instinct or encourage behavior contrary to public order or
morals or abnormal behavior are prohibited under Article 26.
6. Educational Rights
Under Article 31 of the Child Protection Law, every child has a right to education and it is the
duty of the State to work on achieving equal opportunities for every child.
7. Right to Protection
It is prohibited to endanger the mental, psychological, physical or moral integrity of the child,
including abandoning or rejecting the child by the custodian, leaving the child at a care
institution without reason, etc. under Article 34. The custodian is also prohibited to expose the
child to rejection, homelessness or neglect under Article 35.
Habitual child abuse, exposure to exploitation or sexual abuse, or kidnapping, sale or trafficking
are some of the actions which are considered as threatening to the child or to his physical,
mental, psychological or moral integrity and which requires his right to protection under Article
33.
Conclusion
The Wadeema’s Law is a progressive which looks to protect the rights of the children and ensure
their safety, protection, health and education.