Sharjah: Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has received the King Abdullah II Award for Excellence 2015-2016.

The accolade, a major award for childcare, was bestowed in the ‘Arab City’ category — one of the three key categories at the eighth edition of Jordan’s most prestigious awards programme. It was given in recognition of the “high quality report” submitted by Sharjah Health Promotion Department, which was titled ‘The Innovative Role of Sharjah in Childcare’.

Dr Abdul Aziz Al Muhairi, director of Sharjah Health Authority, received the award on behalf of Shaikha Jawaher from Dr Hani Al Mulki, prime minister of Jordan, at the Al Hussain Cultural Centre in Amman on Monday.

The award acknowledged the instrumental role Shaikha Jawaher plays in childcare and childhood protection in Sharjah.

Shaikha Jawaher launched a number of initiatives and campaigns focused on childcare and protection.

The King Abdullah II Award for Excellence is held every two years in Jordan and accepts submissions in three key categories — ‘Art and Literature,’ ‘Sciences’ and ‘Arab City.’ Winners in each category receive $25,000 (about Dh91,750), a certificate of appreciation and a trophy of the king bearing the recipient’s name and the title of the award.

The cash prize that was won for the ‘Arab City’ category will be donated to the ‘Ameera Fund’, launched recently by Shaikha Jawaher, to support cancer patients worldwide.

Dr Al Muhairi conveyed her gratitude and appreciation, and spoke of the strong relations between the UAE and Jordan, pointing out that the award is a beacon for innovation in the Arab world.

The study from Sharjah Health Promotion Department highlighted Shaikha Jawaher’s efforts in providing children with an ideal environment in Sharjah through initiatives that include the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah Children Centres, Sharjah Youth Centre, Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival and Sharjah Museums Department.

Sharjah Health Promotion Department’s report addressed the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Campaign, which was launched in 2012 with the aim of promoting breastfeeding. The campaign extended to health-care facilities, institutions, kindergartens and public venues, resulting in positive change. In conjunction with the campaign, Sharjah’s Executive Council extended maternity leave for mother-to-be employees to 90 days for Emiratis and 60 days for non-national residents.