Dubai Women Establishment starts the second phase of establishing a Child Care Center at Dubai Customs

DWE will organize specialized workshops to consider the various means of spreading awareness among the Customs' staff to realize the importance of the child care in creating a social and psychologically-oriented working atmosphere with a positive impact on productivity.

Such a move will help as well in minimizing the loss of creative and hardworking female staff.

The provisions of the agreement includes providing assistance to obtain the licenses required from the Ministry of Social Affairs and select the state of the art design for the ideal child care through implementing best international practices mentioned in the National Child Care Standards.

DWE will also be responsible for providing qualified Emarati staff to the nursery.

Mrs. Maitha Al Shamsi, DWE Managing Director, said,

"Our establishment will supervise and support the steps taken to set up the child care and will review in coordination with Dubai Customs the National Child Care Standards in licensing requirements, nursery administration, facilities, educational atmosphere, the basic principles of educational activities, the best techniques for protection and safety, nutrition, and healthcare."

Al Shamsi added,

"Through this initiative DWE is focusing on three main fields. First, giving the professional support to working women in their capacity as partners in the development process and assist them strike a balance between their family and work life. Second, creating the best atmosphere for upbringing future generations and finally, providing employment as well as training opportunities for a number of national women who, once they have got their diplomas in child and healthcare, they will be able to join the working team in the new child care centers."

Mrs. Feryal Tawakul, CEO - Human Resources from Dubai Customs said, "The Child Care will have an area of 250 m2 in the Department's main building for 40 children from 0-4 years. Dubai Customs is intending to increase this area 350 m2 to meet the requirements of some 105 female employees at the Department."

She added "We are extremely happy with the positive response we received from the Custom's working mothers who expressed deep satisfaction with the project which will enhance their professional development. Therefore in cooperation with DWE, we will do our best to get the child care opened by the end of 2008 and not later the 1st quarter of 2009 with the support of Dubai Women Establishment."

The National Corporate Child Care project was launched under the direction of Her Highness Sheikha Manal Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, President of Dubai Women Establishment in lined with the UAE Cabinet Policy on Child Care Center Law.

The Law encourages the development of a day care center for every Ministry, Authority, Public Establishments and Government Departments.