Abu Dhabi Launches 6 Initiatives To Support Growth Of Emirati Families

The Department of Community Development - Abu Dhabi (DCD), the regulatory body of the social sector in the emirate, has launched a program that includes six initiatives to support the growth of Emirati families.

These initiatives, approved by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and led by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, are aimed at helping Emirati citizens marry, raise children, and build strong families.

DCD oversees the Emirati Family Growth Support Program in collaboration with partners like the Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, and the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority.

The program includes the Marriage Loan Initiative, the Maternity Leave Support for Women Working in Private Sector Initiative, and the Home Visit Service Initiative to support new mothers.

It also includes "Rental Assistance for Newlyweds, the Extending Housing Loan Repayment Period initiative to exempt a percentage of the housing loan amount for each additional child born in the family, starting from the fourth child to the sixth, within specific criteria and conditions, and the Loan Partial Deduction initiative, if the beneficiary has four or more children."

These efforts aim to strengthen family bonds and create a more prosperous society.

"Our wise leadership is dedicated to providing decent standards of living for all individuals, Emirati families in particular, and spares no effort to enhance the quality of life for citizens and residents," said Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, according to WAM.

"This reflects our leadership's belief in the importance of human beings as the country's true wealth and the foundation for comprehensive and sustainable development," he added.

Al Khaili further said that the Emirati Family Growth Support Program comes under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Family Wellbeing Strategy launched by the Department of Community Development, noting that Abu Dhabi has always been a city that supports children, empowers young people, and is family-friendly.

"From this standpoint, we affirm our commitment to supporting young people and those about to get married by providing a supportive system based on a belief in the importance of family in building society, enabling them to establish stable families," he said.

The chairman noted that the Emirate is dedicated to not only supporting parents but also helping them overcome the challenges they face in raising their children.

Earlier this year, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi approved the first distribution of housing and benefits packages for Abu Dhabi citizens in 2024.