The National Juvenile Justice Conference 2025 officially began on Saturday at Villa Nautica, inaugurated by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed.

Held from May 10 to 12, the conference is the first of its kind to bring together all key stakeholders in the juvenile justice sector. Organised under the theme of strengthening the juvenile justice system, the event aims to promote dialogue, cooperation, and evidence-based reform among relevant agencies.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO), the primary objective of the conference is to identify practical solutions to challenges within the system, using evidence-based approaches. It also aims to reduce barriers to collaboration between institutions and support long-term improvements in the field.

Speaking at the Conference, First Lady Sajidha called for urgent reform of the Maldives’ juvenile justice system, advocating for a shift from punitive responses to early intervention and child protection. She emphasised the need to address the root causes of youth crime, noting that many young offenders are first victims of systemic failures. She urged parents, schools, and justice institutions to recognise early warning signs and intervene before children enter the justice system.

The First Lady also raised concerns about the country’s high incarceration rate despite relatively low levels of violent crime. She called for stronger family involvement, particularly from fathers, and improved coordination between institutions to prevent youth from falling through the cracks. She further noted that nearly a billion Maldivian rufiyaa is allocated from the State budget for child safety and related services, and stressed the need to ensure these funds are channelled through an effective and accountable system.

The three-day event will feature the presentation of eight research papers, submitted by Government agencies as well as colleges and universities. In addition, two keynote speakers are scheduled to address participants over the course of the conference.