SANA’A, Aug. 1 ­— Government institutions and civil society organizations related to children are working to make amendments to laws and legislations with regard to childhood so as to be commensurate with the international agreements and conventions in cooperation with UNICEF. It is expected that the mission will be concluded within three months.

Adel Dabwan, the general manager of social defence at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, said the amendments include many laws and issues in terms of child rights. It is stipulated that children ought to be provided with protection against any kind of manipulation as well as a ban against child soldiery.

Dabwan indicated that the amended laws that will be endorsed are the prime legislative reference for all items regulating child rights.

"I am here to support the team revising child-related legislations and contribute to limiting child abuse such as recruiting, trafficking, violence and discrimination against girls," Dawood Darawei, an Arabian childhood expert said.

He added that "we are concerned to shape the legislations and add some amendments in order to provide social and forensic protection for the child. A national team is in charge of this responsibility; this will be an achievement for childhood organizations either in the government or the private sector."

Maryam Ibrahim Al-Shawafi, the general secretary and the executive manager of the Shawthb Foundation, said that Yemen has legislation against such issues, though they are ineffective due to their ambiguity. He cited the examples of acceptable marriage age and the ban on violence against children.

Al-Shawafi called for parliament to endorse these amendments in accordance with international standards and conventions for child rights. He demanded them not to rely solely on their personal convictions to determine the marriage age. It is an issue which remains contentious.