UAE establishes 'Ministry of Family', amends roles of other government entities

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the establishment of the "Ministry of Family", with Her Excellency Sanaa Suhail assuming its portfolio.

In a post on social media platform X, His Highness said Sanaa Suhail has worked in the field of early childhood, family, supporting people of determination, and other sectors of community work throughout her years working with the government.

"The family is a national priority, the cornerstone of the journey, and a guarantee for the future of the country," His Highness wrote.

"The directives of the President of the State in the last annual meetings were about the necessity of working on comprehensive national programmes to increase the formation of families in the country, enhance their growth, empower them, consolidate their cohesion and stability, and raise fertility rates in the country. The new ministry will be concerned with this important national file.

"The family is the solid nucleus around which society gathers. It is the guarantor of the continuity of its cohesion and the strength of its individuals. Everyone, from fathers and mothers to national institutions, is concerned with supporting the formation and empowerment of the family. We look forward to positive changes in this file during the coming period."

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

His Highness also announced the strengthening of the role of the Ministry of Community Development, changing its name to the Ministry of Community Empowerment, headed by Shamma Al Mazrui.

The Ministry will focus more on developing an advanced and integrated social empowerment system that enhances community participation.

In his post, His Highness wrote the "Ministry will manage empowerment and social support programmes to provide protection for low-income families and enhance their financial stability and independence, in addition to its role in strengthening, organising and empowering the third sector and activating the role of public benefit institutions in advancing the development process in our country."

He also said "The Education, Human Development and Community Council, led by Abdullah bin Zayed and Mariam bint Mohammed bin Zayed, will oversee the development of strategic directions in the family files, community empowerment, and harmonization between the plans of the new entities, and linking their directions to education and human development within a unified and comprehensive vision for the human journey in the UAE."

He added "We wish everyone success in their new tasks...and to achieve our aspirations from these changes...and to work in a team spirit between all sectors, institutions and individuals to create a large national team to consolidate the stability of our families and enhance our progress in the social sector."

كما يشمل التعديل الحكومي تعزيز دور وزارة تنمية المجتمع وتغيير مسماها لتصبح وزارة تمكين المجتمع .. وتتولاها معالي شما المزروعي … وتعديل اختصاصات الوزارة ومهامها لتركز بشكل أكبر خلال الفترة المقبلة على تطوير منظومة تمكين اجتماعي متقدمة ومتكاملة تعزز المشاركة المجتمعية..

وستعمل… pic.twitter.com/N9JyzOac8p

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