In a landmark parliamentary session, UAE federal lawmakers have initiated a comprehensive reform of national family policies, advocating for significant expansions to parental support systems. The Federal National Council (FNC) has formally proposed extending paid maternity leave for government employees to 98 days, aligning the nation with international labor standards established by the International Labour Organization.
The debate, attended by Minister of Family Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, revealed a paradigm shift in approach as legislators emphasized the need for gender-inclusive family support. Muna Hammad, a council member, challenged the traditional focus on maternal support alone, stating: ‘Our empowerment discussions consistently center on women while overlooking the crucial roles men play as fathers, widowers, and household leaders.’ She highlighted the absence of support mechanisms for male domestic abuse victims and widowers, questioning why existing frameworks predominantly assist women.
Minister Suhail acknowledged these concerns, affirming that future family programs would adopt a holistic household approach rather than targeting specific genders. The proposed reforms extend beyond parental leave to include standardized flexible work arrangements, remote working policies, and protections for caregivers of elderly relatives and people of determination.
Simultaneously, lawmakers called for substantial revisions to domestic violence legislation, including mandatory psychological assessments before abuse reconciliation and prohibitions on settlements in cases involving children, pregnant women, or repeat offenders. The council further recommended relocating family counseling centers from judicial premises to the Ministry of Family to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
Additional proposals featured an automated federal bereavement allowance for prompt disbursement to widows, guaranteed housing rights for women after spousal death or divorce, and enhanced protections for elderly divorcees facing housing insecurity. Minister Suhail confirmed that all recommendations would undergo thorough review as part of the UAE’s broader initiative to modernize social support systems and strengthen family stability nationwide.