SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Family wellbeing is one of the strongest foundations of long-term social stability, resilience, as well as human development, said H.E. Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of Family Care Authority.
As the UAE marks the Year of Family 2026 and the International Day of Families, observed annually on May 15, attention is increasingly turning towards the importance of strengthening family wellbeing, social cohesion, and long-term community resilience.
The International Day of Families 2026 is marked under the theme "Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing", highlighting the importance of integrated family-focused policies, according to the UN. This includes parental leave systems, child benefits, early education, and community-based care services.
In an interview with Aletihad, Al Ameemi said strong families remain the foundation of community wellbeing in the UAE. "The family continues to be viewed as the foundation of social stability, human development and long-term economic resilience," she said.
Al Ameemi explained that as societies continue to evolve, strengthening the social fabric requires integrated systems that help individuals navigate emotional, social and economic changes with stability and confidence.
"Across Abu Dhabi, there is growing emphasis on creating an ecosystem that supports people at every stage of life, through initiatives focused on parental empowerment, counselling, child wellbeing, financial resilience, mental health, work-life balance and social inclusion," she said.
Al Ameemi also emphasised the growing importance of investing in family wellbeing. "Today, conversations around development are no longer limited to infrastructure or economic growth alone. The strength of a society is also reflected in the strength of its relationships, the wellbeing of its people and the sense of stability individuals experience within their homes and communities."
Investing in wellbeing, she stressed, directly contributes to stronger social cohesion, productivity, educational outcomes, and long-term community resilience.
It also preserves the values of compassion, responsibility, and mutual support within UAE society.
Al Ameemi noted that the role of the Family Care Authority is centred on advancing integrated and preventative social care services that place people at the heart of development.
The authority, Al Ameemi said, works closely with partners to ensure support is delivered in a coordinated and dignified manner, through unified case management, counselling services, empowerment programmes, and an integrated service catalogue that simplifies access to care across Abu Dhabi.
"The focus is not only on addressing challenges, but also on strengthening resilience, encouraging healthier relationships and enabling individuals to contribute actively to society," she added.
Al Ameemi said future efforts will continue to focus on proactive, data-driven, and community-centred approaches that address evolving social needs while empowering families to grow independently.
"Building resilient families is a shared responsibility across institutions, workplaces and communities, and it remains one of the most important investments any society can make for its future."