In celebration of the International Day of Families, observed annually on May 15, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) organized a series of awareness activities under the theme “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development.” These initiatives reflect the foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote family stability and strengthen community values in line with the goals of the UAE Community Year 2025.
The event featured a comprehensive digital campaign across the foundation’s social media platforms and a virtual educational lecture via Zoom titled “Family Resilience,” delivered by Ms. Amina Al Mutawa, Director of Psychological Services at DFWAC. The session aimed to reinforce the foundation’s pioneering role in supporting families and enhancing social cohesion.
The interactive lecture attracted over 100 participants from various community segments. Ms. Al Mutawa provided a psychological and scientific overview of family resilience, explaining how families can reorganize and recover after facing hardships. She emphasized the importance of finding positive meaning in challenges and transforming crises into opportunities for growth and stronger family bonds.
Key challenges to building family resilience were discussed, including fear of change, poor communication skills among family members, and societal pressures that hinder positive crisis management. Ms. Al Mutawa also highlighted the crucial role resilient families play in preventing issues like addiction by creating emotionally supportive and healthy environments.
The lecture explored essential psychological factors that contribute to fostering resilience, such as effective communication patterns, role distribution within the family, and emotional support systems. Creating an open and safe space for self-expression was identified as a cornerstone for building collective family resilience. Ms. Al Mutawa stressed that resilience is not about avoiding challenges but about the way families confront them together.
Practical strategies were shared with participants, including involving children in family decision-making, promoting mutual appreciation, and adopting positive stress management techniques. These methods are designed to equip families with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Acting Director General of DFWAC, Her Excellency Sheikha Saeed Al Mansoori, remarked on the evolving nature of challenges facing families today. “What we are witnessing is no longer temporary pressure but daily tests of a family’s ability to maintain stability in a fast-paced environment. Hence, it is essential to foster a culture of conscious resilience,” she said.
Al Mansoori expressed her satisfaction with the community’s active engagement during the session, viewing it as a clear indication of the public’s genuine interest in investing emotionally and psychologically in their families. She affirmed the foundation’s commitment to expanding its programs and initiatives to address the evolving needs of Emirati families on both human and social levels.
The event concluded with a renewed pledge by the DFWAC to continue organizing awareness initiatives that align with the UAE’s vision of prioritizing family well-being as a national goal, ultimately contributing to the creation of a balanced, conscious, and sustainable society.
