Dubai: Protecting women and children’s rights in the UAE has been a priority, and the UAE has embraced its obligation to help those in need, said Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Princess Haya said the UAE has achieved remarkable milestones globally with regards to problems facing children in the UAE, but despite these achievements, there are still things that need to be done.
“There have been remarkable achievements in reducing mortality and disease among children and ensuring they receive proper education. Child health in the UAE has improved dramatically in the UAE since its unification in 1971,” she said.
She also said the UAE has achieved its goal regarding improving maternal health and eradicating infectious diseases.
On the education front she said: “The news is very encouraging especially with regards to education in the UAE that does not discriminate between genders. Females recorded higher involvement than males at all education levels,” she said.
On the other hand, Princess Haya said there are other areas that can still be improved “such as the poor diet and insufficient exercise contributing to an explosion in diabetes and other diseases in the Gulf that begin in childhood. Promoting physical activity among youth and having more campaigns is needed.”
In addition, Princess Haya said the UAE has donated last year $5 billion dollars in foreign aid “roughly 1.25 per cent of its GDP.”
“Aid to Syrian and Palestinian children was also provided and many donations went for vaccination projects as well.”
