SACPA has appointed a new Director, Dr Mariya Ali.
Mariya is an internationally recognised expert in child protection, with extensive experience in social work, research, and policy making. She served as the Deputy Minister for Health and Family in the Maldives from 2009 – 2011, holding the portfolio of gender and social services. She was then Under Secretary of the Policy Office, at the Office of the President of the Maldives focusing on social policy. She also served as Chief of Child Protection for the Shaftesbury Young People Charity from 2016-2018, where she was responsible for safeguarding across five programmes.
Mariya has also contributed extensively at international level, working with organisations such as UNICEF, Lumos Foundation, Adam Smith International, and Save the Children International, on children’s rights and developing child protection systems in South Asia and beyond. As an academic, Mariya holds qualifications in Human Rights and Social Work, publishing widely across areas including children’s rights, online child safety, and trauma-informed safeguarding.
Mariya brings to SACPA a global perspective and nuanced understanding of local implementation challenges. Her knowledge and experience within the safeguarding space will be valuable in driving the organisation’s mission forward.
Aileen Kane, BSA Group COO, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Mariya. Her expertise and commitment to safeguarding will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our work.”
Mariya said, “I am honoured to join SACPA. I look forward to supporting and meeting members over the coming weeks.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to outgoing director Claire Dan for her leadership and commitment to SACPA since 2022.
Categories: News