News2019-07-01

DFWAC and Al Jalila Children’s Sign MoU to Elevate Child Protection

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, July 2019:

The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) and Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, the first and only children’s hospital in the UAE, signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate and exchange experiences in the field of child safeguarding and protection. This is in line with the federal child rights Law No. 3 of 2016 on the Children’s Rights Act “Wadima Law”.

The MoU was signed by HE Afra Al Basti, Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, and Dr.Abdullah Ibrahim Al Khayat, CEO of Al Jalila Children’s, at the Hospital today, in the presence of a number of officials from both sides.

Under the agreement, the two parties will work together to develop joint policies and procedures for reporting and protecting children and their families exposed to abuse; physical, sexual, bullying, emotional among others. Furthermore, case collaboration and cross training will be an integral part of the collaboration moving forward.

In the event of an increase in the number of child abuse cases reported by Al Jalila Hospital, the parties agreed that the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children would appoint
a permanent representative in the hospital to be the direct liaison for identified children and their families. This would provide immediate support and assistance.

In accordance with the agreement, the two parties will also conduct joint research studies of mutual concern in the field of child care, protection and other relevant social issues that will contribute to the development of policies in order to protect children and their families and prevent decrease instances of abuse.

The two parties will also hold joint workshops, seminars and conferences as a form of capacity building of child
protection officials. This goal is to is to ensure the protection of human rights principles in general and children's rights in particular.

HE Afra Al Basti said that the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children is always very keen to cooperate with various health care providers, as hospitals are one of the most important places to detect cases of violence against children and to provide them with the required medical and psychological care.

She added that Al Jalila Children’s is specialized in providing children's medical and psychological care. This makes them an ideal partner for the Dubai Foundation for Women and
Children in the field of training, capacity building, exchange of experiences and policies to protect and care for children and their families.

Al Basti pointed out that the signing of this memorandum reflects the shared vision and objectives of both parties, which is based on achieving the vision of the wise leadership to make the UAE the best environment for raising children, protecting their rights and empowering them to maintain their physical, psychological and cultural integrity.

Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim Al Khayat, said: “as the only children hospital in UAE, our care for children goes beyond healthcare, as we have a moral and ethical obligation to protect any child when needed. Our cooperation with DFWAC will play a pivotal role in elevating the standards of child safeguarding and protection, especially through our mutual efforts in research and studies that will result in enhanced policies and regulation to protect the children across the UAE community”.