QNA
Doha
The Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) held the fourth Gulf Family Policy Forum, in partnership with the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Labour and the Council of Ministers of Social Affairs of the GCC in Doha on Wednesday.
The event’s theme is ‘Sustainability of the family institution in the GCC countries’.
Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs at the Ministry of Social Development and Family HE Sheikha Sheikha bint Jassim Al Thani said this year’s forum comes within the framework of the permanent cooperation and joint coordination between the DIFI and the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Social Affairs in the GCC.
She stressed the importance of coexisting with the rapid changes sweeping the world, especially since technology plays a major role in human life, which may sometimes negatively affect family relationships and cohesion, explaining that Qatar is keen to strengthen family cohesion and revive the value and role of the family in achieving the pillars of community development.
She highlighted that the Permanent Constitution of Qatar stipulates that the family is the foundation of society, based on religion, morality and love of the homeland, and the law regulates the means to protect it, support its entity, strengthen its ties and preserve motherhood, childhood and old age under its shadow.
She also noted that the Ministry of Social Development and Family in Qatar is working to support the institution of a strong and cohesive family in accordance with Qatar National Vision and the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), which focuses on the institution of marriage, promoting positive parenting and strengthening religious, cultural and moral values within families.
She stressed Qatar’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with the GCC countries in the field of sustainability, cohesion and stability of the Gulf family institution by exchanging successful experiences and proposing initiatives to address the effects of divorce.
Director-General of the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council Mohammed bin Hassan Al Obaidli reviewed the achievements of the GCC countries in strengthening family care, structure and stability at the levels of legislation, joining international and Arab agreements and funding.
Executive Director of DIFI Dr Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi described the event as a platform for exchanging best practices in the field of developing and implementing family policies and programmes across the GCC countries, as it provides a crucial framework for innovative initiatives that contribute to family cohesion and enhance its role in the development of society and individuals.