UAE Forms 'Ministry of Family' to Focus on Family Well-being

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of the "Ministry of Family." Her Excellency Sanaa Suhail, known for her work in early childhood, family welfare, and community development, will lead the new ministry.

The ministry's focus will be on creating programs to encourage family formation, support growth, and promote stability. Enhancing fertility rates and reinforcing family cohesion are among its key objectives. “The family is the cornerstone of the country’s future,” Sheikh Mohammed stated in a post on social media platform X.

الأخوة والأخوات . . بناء على توجيهات أخي رئيس الدولة - حفظه الله- وبعد مباركته نعلن اليوم عن تغيير حكومي بإنشاء "وزارة الأسرة" وتتولى حقيبتها معالي سناء سهيل … والتي عملت في مجال الطفولة المبكرة والأسرة ودعم أصحاب الهمم وغيرها من قطاعات العمل المجتمعي عبر سنوات عملها في الحكومة.… pic.twitter.com/mZRurnIv0c

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 8, 2024

Expanded Vision for Community Empowerment  

The Ministry of Community Development has been renamed the Ministry of Community Empowerment, with Shamma Al Mazrui as its head. The revamped ministry will focus on social empowerment, ensuring financial stability for low-income families, and boosting public benefit institutions' role in national development.

Sheikh Mohammed explained that this ministry will oversee social support programs aimed at building financial independence and protecting vulnerable families. It will also foster the growth of the third sector to enhance societal contributions to the UAE’s progress.

Unified Leadership in Education and Human Development  

To align these new initiatives, the Education, Human Development, and Community Council, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Mariam bint Mohammed bin Zayed, will guide the strategic directions of family and community programs. The council will ensure these efforts are integrated into a broader vision for education and human development in the UAE.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed optimism about these changes, emphasizing teamwork across sectors to build a cohesive national effort that prioritizes family stability and community growth. “We look forward to achieving our aspirations through these transformations,” he said.