The New Childcare Centre Supports Efforts to Close the Gender Gap Across All Sectors
BON's New Childcare Centre
Her Highness Sheikha Manal bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Minister of Presidential Affairs highlighted that the UAE has achieved significant milestones in empowering women across all fields, reflecting the country’s strong belief in the valuable role that women play in the UAE’s ongoing development process.
Her Highness said that Emirati women have the strong support of UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Her Highness highlighted that the UAE’s wise leadership is committed to strengthening the influence of women across all sectors and achieving gender balance in line with the values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Her Highness praised the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources’ (FAHR) initiative to open a childcare centre for its employees as part of the National Corporate Child Care Project (NCCP), which was launched in 2009. The project is designed to provide a supportive environment for working women to successfully continue their role as key partners in the UAE’s development process.
Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum commended the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources’ efforts to collaborate with the UAE Gender Balance Council and strengthen gender balance in the UAE, which is a key national priority. Her Highness also highlighted that opening childcare centres for employees supports the Council’s objectives, including closing the gender gap across all sectors. Childcare centres at workplaces will help working women achieve greater balance between their professional and family life, enhancing job satisfaction, as well as performance and productivity.
HE Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, opened the “Al Basateen” childcare centre, which has been launched by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources at its headquarters in Dubai. The nursery will also serve the employees of three federal entities within close proximity, including the Ministry of Energy (MOE), the Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime (FTA), and the Emirates Authority for Standardisation & Metrology (ESMA). HE Mona Al Marri highlighted the centre’s high standards, unique design, and the quality services it provides to children and mothers.
HE Mona Al Marri encouraged all entities to follow in the footsteps of the Authority and other government institutions, highlighting the positive impact of workplace childcare centres, which has been confirmed through surveys and happiness indicators amongst employees.
HE Mona Al Marri added that providing access to nursery facilities is an important component of establishing workplaces that support gender balance – one of the three key focus areas of the Gender Balance Indicators (GBIs). These indicators, which are supported by the UAE’s wise leadership, measure the progress achieved in enhancing gender balance within workplaces across the country. HE Mona Al Marri explained that organisations leading the way in gender balance progress will be honoured on a federal level.
The opening ceremony was attended by HE Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar, Director General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and HE Shamsa Saleh, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, alongside FAHR officials and representatives of the British Orchard Nursery, which has over 25 quality certificates and will run the childcare centre at FAHR.
HE Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar praised the support of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the UAE Gender Balance Council to help Emirati woman reach their full potential, by launching initiatives that enhance job satisfaction and support performance amongst working Emirati women. HE Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar highlighted FAHR’s complete support for these efforts, which is reflected by the steps being taken by the Authority to further improve its work environment for both women and men.
HE Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar said that the new nursery provides an ideal educational environment for employees’ children. It nurtures children’s talents and creativity through various educational and sport activities. HE Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar explained that the new nursery follows the British curriculum, in full adherence to the guidelines set by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted).
During the opening ceremony, Ibrahim Fikri, Executive Director of Supporting Services Sector at FAHR, highlighted the importance of the new childcare centre, and what distinguishes it from other nurseries in terms of the environment and curriculum, as well as its health and safety policy which is in line with best international practice.