Abu Dhabi: Children are the true wealth of a society, and the UAE and its wise leadership give them all necessary care and attention, said Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Shaikha Fatima made the statement on the occasion of Emirati Children’s Day, being marked in the UAE on Thursday. The day was launched by Shaikha Fatima and will be marked annually on March 15.
“The late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan always cared for children, and he believed that they have a key role to play in the future, and that’s why he always urged us to care of children and ensure that their needs are met,” said Shaikha Fatima.
The approval of Emirati Children’s Day coincides with the date on which the Wudeema law was issued [March 15, 2016], she said. Emirati Children’s Day was approved during a recent Ministerial Development Council meeting chaired by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Shaikha Fatima said this reaffirms the UAE’s vision and its keenness on nurturing future generations and eliminating difficulties that might get in the way of their development to become good and effective members of society. This also complements UAE Vision 2021 and Centennial 2071.
She said raising children and caring for them is at the forefront of priorities for any successful society, adding that there is a strong correlation between the progress of nations and how well children are raised and cared for, she added.
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, said that Shaikha Fatima gives the utmost care and attention to Emirati children. He added that the Emirati Children’s Day is a creative and leading initiative by the Mother of the Nation.
Shaikh Nahyan said that in line with the wise UAE leadership’s directives, the country offers all forms of support and empowerment to children. He added that this care is implemented through a comprehensive system of programmes and services that place children as a focal point from the moment they are born and until they become youths.
Reem Abdullah Al Falasi, secretary-general of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, said most of the council’s plans and programmes are oriented towards children, to create a suitable environment for them and facilitating all necessary means to bring up children on authentic values and principles that will serve them in the future.
Al Falasi said Emirati children also enjoy the highest standard of specialised medical care.
Noora Al Suwaidi, director-general of the General Women’s Union, hailed the close attention given by the UAE leadership to children. Al Suwaidi also praised Shaikha Fatima for directly supporting children.
She said that the UAE’s experience in assisting children is a successful one, and that the country offers good education opportunities for children and adopts clear childhood strategies that focus on the rights of children and empowering them as they live a healthy and safe life.
