His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may God preserve him, affirmed, on the occasion of Emirati Children’s Day and during the Year of the Family, that in light of the challenges around us, the UAE will continue to raise and nurture its children on the values of humanity, goodness, and coexistence, and that childhood is the first school in which a person learns the meanings of life.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, said in a post on his official account on the platform X:
“On Emirati Children’s Day, and during the Year of the Family, we affirm that providing a safe, stable, and prosperous environment for all children in the UAE, and instilling in their minds and hearts love for the nation and sacrifice for its sake, is a top priority, a highest objective, and an important investment in the future of the homeland.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, also addressed a message to the children of the UAE, saying:
“My sons and daughters, the children of the United Arab Emirates, I want to tell you that you are the dearest and most precious thing this nation possesses, and that you are its joy and its future. Your safety, your security, and your dreams are always at the heart of our priorities. We want you to grow up confident in yourselves, proud of your values, and believing that your dreams contribute to building a bright future for the UAE and for the whole world. Through you, the dream of the nation grows. Each one of you carries a unique talent and a special dream, and we believe in you and are proud of you. I pray to Almighty God to protect you and your families and that you may achieve all that you wish for yourselves and for your country.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may God preserve him, said in a post on his official account on the platform X:
“Childhood is the first school in which a person learns the meanings of life, the values of society, and the principles of morality. What we sow and instill in our children today is what we will reap and harvest tomorrow in our homelands. In childhood, we draw the picture we want for the future of our nations. A healthy childhood is a great national responsibility upon everyone’s shoulders, so let us safeguard it.”
Emirati Children’s Day comes as a national occasion aimed at shedding light on the efforts made by the state to protect children’s rights and enhance their well-being. Several government entities and national institutions are working to develop policies and programs that support the family and provide a suitable environment for children’s growth.
The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood is one of the most prominent bodies leading these efforts. It was established in 2003 under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Nation,” to serve as the authority concerned with coordinating national policies related to motherhood and childhood and working to enhance the level of care provided to children and mothers in various fields.
The Council also launched the Emirati Children’s Day initiative with the aim of promoting community awareness of children’s rights and encouraging initiatives that contribute to providing a safe and stimulating environment for children’s growth and development.
As part of strengthening the child protection system, the UAE issued the Child Protection Law, known as Wadeema’s Law, which is regarded as one of the most prominent pieces of legislation guaranteeing children’s safety and protecting their rights.
The law includes a number of provisions that define mechanisms for reporting cases of abuse or neglect, in addition to specifying the tasks of child protection units and imposing deterrent penalties on violators, thereby contributing to effective protection for children.
The Ministry of Interior has also strengthened its efforts in this field through the establishment of the Higher Committee for Child Protection in 2009, with the aim of coordinating work among the competent authorities and setting general policies that support child protection and ensure the implementation of laws related to their rights.
On the family support side, the Ministry of Family works to implement various programs aimed at promoting family stability and providing educational support and counseling to parents, helping children to be raised in a healthy and balanced environment.
The Ministry of Community Empowerment also contributes to the development of social legislation and policies related to children, including the Child Rights Law issued in 2016 and its Executive Regulations, in addition to other laws related to protection from domestic violence and the care of groups in need of protection.
These integrated efforts reflect the UAE’s commitment to protecting childhood and strengthening the role of the family, in a way that ensures the preparation of generations capable of continuing the journey of development and achieving a more prosperous future.
In the same context, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, affirmed that caring for the building of the human being is an investment in the future of the nation and the sustainability of its progress.
This came in a post by His Highness on his official account on the platform X:
“Caring for the building of the human being is an investment in the future of the nation and the sustainability of its progress.”
