Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, has 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.

Sheikha Manal added that Emirati women have the strong support of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. She 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.

She praised the initiative of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, FAHR, 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.

She commended the FAHR's efforts to collaborate with the UAE Gender Balance Council and strengthen gender balance in the UAE, which is a key national priority. She 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.

Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, opened the "Al Basateen" childcare centre, which has been launched by the FAHR at its headquarters in Dubai. The nursery will also serve the employees of three federal entities within close proximity, including the Ministry of Energy, the Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime, FTA, and the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, ESMA. She highlighted the centre’s high standards, unique design, and the quality services it provides to children and mothers.

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.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar, FAHR Director General, and 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.

Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Awar praised the support of Sheikha Manal 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. 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.

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. 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.

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.