UAE’S overarching care for kids shows depth of progressiveness
Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood celebrates launch of new Abu Dhabi HQ, 19th anniversary of establishment
Upon the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood is celebrating the launch of its new headquarters in Abu Dhabi, coinciding with the anniversary of its establishment on 30th July, 2003.
The new child-friendly headquarters was established with a generous donation from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima, who has guided the council since its establishment to regulate all motherhood- and childhood-related issues and provide support in all relevant areas, including education, culture, healthcare, society and mental health, as well as ensure the safety and security of children and mothers and evaluate developmental plans to achieve their well-being and encourage research, in cooperation with strategic partners.
The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood celebrates the nineteenth anniversary since its establishment, which was decreed by a federal law issued by the late founder of the United Arab Emirates and leader of its renaissance, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, on 30th July, 2003.
The federal decree is considered one of the most remarkable national achievements in childhood care, which provides for the national mechanism regulating all affairs related to motherhood and childhood issues. It also aims to raise the standards of care and monitoring across all motherhood and childhood affairs.
On this occasion, H.H. Sheikha Fatima said that UAE’S keenness to care for children is based on principles and values that stem from the “depth of our progressive human civilisation” and aligns with the wise leadership’s vision since the country’s establishment by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “who worked with all diligence and sincerity to develop the status and lives of children”.
“Sheikh Zayed translated his forward-looking vision weaving it around his belief that children are the true wealth that must be developed to reap its fruits in the future, by relying on them to advance the UAE’S capabilities, and to preserve its rich resources.”
She said that Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan carried the torch ater Sheikh Zayed to lead the journey of achievement and success, and then “our beloved country was fortunate to be led by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, who have ensured that the UAE continues to occupy advanced rankings in international children’s empowerment indicators”.
Sheikha Fatima stressed that the opening of a new building for the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood in the Mushrif area in Abu Dhabi is a new achievement to be added to the council’s track record of works, programmes, activities and projects that support promising childhood.
Therefore, she added, it is necessary to maximise efforts and increase channels of cooperation and coordination between the Council, government, private and civil sector entities, to improve the services provided to children, and develop their capabilities and foster their ambitions, “which, in turn, advances our society and our comprehensive development process, according to a forward-looking vision to build a generation capable of leading the future of our dear homeland”.
A report earlier this year says Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak has congratulated the children of the UAE on the occasion of the Emirati Children’s Day, which was announced in 2018, to be celebrated on 15th March each year.
In a statement made on the occasion, Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak said that the UAE places great importance on the rights of Emirati children, who receive the best care and atention.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima added that “who cares for children, cares for the future of the homeland,” noting that Emirati Children’s Day aims to raise awareness on children’s rights and welfare among the general public so that they get a healthy, safe and supportive environment for their development.