DIFI Organizes the Second Gulf Forum for Family Policies

The Doha International Family Institute, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, organized the second annual Gulf Forum for Family Policies, in partnership with the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Labor and the Council of Ministers of Social Affairs in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.
The forum, which was held via video communication technology under the title “Parenthood during the Corona Pandemic (Covid-19): Supportive Policies and Future Approaches” focused on the role of fathers during the closure period that accompanied the outbreak of the pandemic and its effects on the relationship of fathers with children and the family, in addition to researching practices that enhance the role of fathers in the performance of their parenting and family duties.
In this regard, Dr. Sharifa Noaman Al-Emadi, Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute, highlighted the relevant studies conducted by the Institute on family cohesion during the Covid-19 pandemic, which showed high rates of family cohesion during the period of the spread of the virus and the preventive measures taken, noting that One of the institute's main objectives is to propose appropriate policies needed by the countries of the region.
Al-Emadi said, "The studies we conducted showed a decrease in the rate of family violence, both verbal and physical, in the Arab Gulf states, while violence increased in other countries of the world, and this shows that family cohesion is a priority in the Arab Gulf countries, especially in times of crisis, where we are keen to Family relationships, unlike societies that depend on individualism, in which cases of violence and depression increased during the pandemic period.
For his part, Dr. Ali Al-Sanad, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies at the College of Basic Education at Kuwait University, focused in his speech on the role of the father from an Islamic and cultural point of view, explaining that the concept of fatherhood is pivotal in building the family and in the personality of the emerging child, as it is the backbone of the family, and on the Islamic side, it has The true religion gave paternity great care, and it was present in the Islamic heritage.
In turn, Mrs. Sajida Attari, Child Protection and Early Childhood Development Specialist at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), talked about the scientific side and what studies and research have confirmed regarding the role of parenting programs and what they play in enhancing the father's participation in parenting programs, stressing the importance of the father's participation In caring for children and its positive impact on them.
It is noteworthy that this forum came as a continuation of the joint efforts aimed at strengthening family policies in the Arab Gulf region, after the first edition of the Gulf Forum for Family Policies, which was organized last year and witnessed the shedding of light on the balancing policies between family and work.