Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
Entering 2026, the UAE reinforces its long-standing commitment to placing families at the heart of society. As its Year of the Family begins, the country underscores the importance of nurturing strong bonds at home in building a united and compassionate community.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan earlier declared 2026 as the Year of the Family in a nationwide initiative aimed at reinforcing the central role of family in society, promoting cohesion, and embedding family wellbeing at the centre of national policy and community life. The announcement was made in November 2025 during a session on the National Family Growth Agenda 2031 at the 2025 Annual Government Meetings in Abu Dhabi.
Under the directives, 2026 will focus on enhancing family stability, unity, and national identity by celebrating the values that bind families together and by supporting programmes that foster growth, wellbeing and intergenerational ties.
The country has long treated family wellbeing as a cornerstone of policy, community, and national identity, with comprehensive support embedded in major initiatives — from child rights to education, housing, and healthcare.
The National Family Policy, for instance, aims to strengthen family welfare, stability, and cohesion by supporting marriage readiness, financial security, healthcare, education, and providing social services.
Issued in 2018, it focuses on building “a cohesive and responsible Emirati family that enjoys stability in today’s world.”
The UAE places paramount importance on family development, so much so that in 2024 it established a dedicated government body to design and implement policies, strategies, legislation, and initiatives aimed at fostering cohesive families.
The Ministry of Family is also mandated to conduct studies and propose policies and initiatives to increase fertility rates among Emirati families.
Today, the ministry delivers a wide range of support services, including marriage grants, family counselling, programmes for people of determination, early childhood intervention, and rehabilitative services for families with specific needs.
In Abu Dhabi, the Emirati Family Growth Support Programme also runs key initiatives such as marriage loans to encourage early and stable family formation; maternity leave support for women working in the private sector; home visits for new parents; rental assistance for newlyweds; and housing loan incentives linked to child support. These efforts aim to ease financial burden and promote long‑term family stability.
Reinforcing family safety and societal health, the federal government issued the Family Protection Policy in 2019, aiming to safeguard women, children, seniors, and people of determination from abuse and exploitation by other family members. It enhances coordination between protection services and promotes awareness of healthy family relationships.
The UAE’s child protection system also guarantees children’s rights to a stable, nurturing environment, encompassing healthcare, education, and family support.
Through comprehensive legislation and specialised units, young people are protected against abuse and supported in growth and development.
Caring for families also means providing support across generations, from children to the elderly. While a range of laws and initiatives are in place to help the youth reach their full potential, the country equally ensures the seniors receive the respect, recognition, and care they deserve.
In April 2025, the Barakatna initiative was launched to further enhance the quality of life of senior citizens in Abu Dhabi. It aims to reinforce family ties by developing an integrated system of community services designed to ease everyday life, empower individuals to care for their senior relatives effectively, and help caregivers achieve a balance between their personal, professional, and social responsibilities.
Achieving the Goals Set for the Year Ahead
This year, a national task force of more than 20 federal and local government entities has been formed to implement the Year of the Family objectives, with a focus on reviewing and updating existing policies, understanding behavioural drivers of family growth, and improving reproductive health support systems.
Beyond awareness campaigns, the Year of the Family will emphasise practical support and social empowerment. Government programmes already include marriage preparation initiatives, parental coaching, and support for parents and children of all ages.
These efforts are a continuation of the decades-long effort of putting family at the core of the UAE’s priorities, aiming to cultivate a supportive environment that encourages family growth while instilling values such as unity, empathy, and cooperation in future generations.
