On the 15th of March of every year, the United Arab Emirates celebrates the national ‘Emirati Children’s Day’ in participation of all its ministries, institutions, sectors and all children in the UAE. The aim is to increase everyone’s awareness on children’s rights and promote Emirati and expatriate children’s understanding of their rights which have been secured by the UAE law, specifically by the Child Rights Law ‘Wadeema’ which was launched in 2016 by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and international conventions signed by the UAE in this regard.
This day commenced under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak - Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of The Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation - and the endorsement of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs; as part of the commitment of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to raise awareness among all society segments of children’s right in order to grow in a healthy, safe and supportive environment that develops their abilities and skills, which reflects positively on UAE’s society as a whole.
The Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood urges all ministries, local authorities, non-governmental organizations and private enterprises to carry out their roles in the activities of the ‘Emirati Children’s Day’ through elite programmes and opportunities for all Emirati and expatriate children and children of determination in the country, covering fields including arts and culture, sports, environment protection, media, science, space and technology among others, in order to reflect their role in promoting children’s rights and working towards fulfilling the UAE Vision 2021 and the Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030. These activities are aimed at empowering children and increasing their awareness on their rights and responsibilities at the family, community and national levels, besides instilling respect for pluralism, tolerance, acceptance and solidarity amongst children once they comprehend their rights and responsibilities.
