Hanane Djoua
Doha
In an enlightening interview with Qatar Tribune, Fatima Al Motawa, a research grant specialist at the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), outlined the organisation’s pivotal role in supporting and strengthening Arab families through a comprehensive approach that includes research, policy development, outreach, and advocacy.
Established in 2006 by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, DIFI aims to address the myriad challenges faced by families in Qatar and across the Arab region.
DIFI’s extensive research on family dynamics and well-being informs the development of protective policies, ensuring that the needs of families are met effectively. The Institute collaborates with policymakers and international organisations to conduct workshops and forge partnerships that further its mission.
Motawa emphasised the importance of these collaborative efforts in shaping impactful family-oriented policies.
To enhance family welfare, she said DIFI advocates for several key initiatives. It promotes family-friendly work policies, including flexible work hours, remote work options, parental leave, and workplace childcare, aimed at supporting work-family balance and reducing stress.
According to her, recent decisions to implement flexible work arrangements in Qatar’s government sector underscore this commitment. Recognising the vital role of caregivers, DIFI proposes comprehensive financial, social, and psychological support, including caregiver leave and educational programmes tailored to emotional and health-related care.
DIFI also calls for protective policies aimed at safeguarding children and youth from technological risks, substance abuse, and bullying, she pointed out.
To address rising divorce rates, particularly among young couples, the institute recommends expanding access to pre-marital education programmes that focus on communication, conflict resolution, and realistic marital expectations. Furthermore, DIFI supports the development of parenting programmes across Qatar and the Arab region, teaching essential skills such as discipline and digital management to foster emotional resilience and strengthen family bonds.
Motawa highlighted several critical findings regarding the factors impacting family dynamics. While technology facilitates communication, excessive use can lead to emotional disconnect within families.
DIFI’s research indicates that 75 percent of adolescents use social media, but 66.4 percent experience withdrawal symptoms when away from their devices. In response, DIFI has partnered with Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) to launch the ‘Tanshi’a’ programme, helping adolescents and parents manage digital use effectively.
Economic migration poses additional challenges for family cohesion. A DIFI study on Arab refugees in Canada revealed that while cultural values may initially support family ties, parents often struggle to maintain these values in new environments, fearing cultural erosion among their children, she opined.
In Qatar and the broader GCC region, declining fertility rates are linked to delayed marriage, economic pressures, and the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities. As more Qatari women pursue education and careers, these rates continue to drop, further complicated by a lack of flexible work policies.
Rising divorce rates also present a significant concern. Research indicates that while satisfaction rates in early marriages are relatively high, a notable number of couples report marital stress and unmet responsibilities. Many couples marry for stability and companionship, highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems to enhance marital stability.
DIFI’s response to recent challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, reveals both the resilience and strain experienced by families. The pandemic exacerbated financial uncertainties and increased familial stress, yet it also fostered stronger family bonds for many. DIFI advocates for policies that support diverse family structures, especially in light of delayed marriage and childbearing trends.
Additionally, initiatives like the ‘Plan and Prepare’ campaign and ‘For a Brighter Future’ campaign reflect DIFI’s commitment to improving family stability and cohesion. The ‘Plan and Prepare’ campaign, launched in January 2023, emphasises the importance of pre-marital education, while the ‘For a Brighter Future’ campaign focuses on empowering parents through education to create healthier family frameworks.
As DIFI continues its mission to strengthen Arab families through research and advocacy, Motawa’s insights underscore the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping effective policies. By addressing key issues such as work-family balance, caregiver support, and youth protection, DIFI remains at the forefront of initiatives that promote the well-being of families in Qatar and the broader Arab region.
Through comprehensive research and strategic partnerships, DIFI aims to pave the way for a brighter future for families, ensuring their stability and cohesion in an ever-evolving social landscape.