Acknowledging the importance of this most fundamental social unit…

“The family is a national priority” in the words of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. That’s an extract from an announcement made on X (formally Twitter) about the formation of a new UAE department, the Ministry of Family.

Heading up this new area of governmental provision-making will be Her Excellency Sanaa Suhail. She brings a wealth experience in the fields of “early childhood, family, supporting people of determination” to her role as Minister of Family.

The directive establishing the Ministry of Family, came from HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

In the announcement, HH Sheikh Mohammed expanded on how crucial the role of family is in the UAE, stating “The family is a national priority, the cornerstone of the journey, and a guarantee for the future of the country. The directives of the President of the State in the last annual meetings were about the necessity of working on comprehensive national programs 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.”

That wasn’t the only serving of cabinet news from the weekend. HH Sheikh Mohammed also revealed that there have been big changes to the department formally known as the Ministry of Community Development. Now relaunched as the Ministry of Community Empowerment, the operation will be headed up by Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui – tasked with “developing an advanced and integrated social empowerment system that enhances community participation.”

Images: What’s On archive