Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, head of Sharjah's child-friendly office, stressed the importance of companies and institutions in the private sector abiding by labor laws that take into account the special needs of women, especially the right to maternity protection. The adoption of high professional standards that safeguard the rights of working mothers supported the development process and women's empowerment efforts in the State.

She pointed out that despite the commitment of many private sector institutions to support policies for working mothers and nursing mothers, but we need to continue the effort and development in this area to cope with the challenges posed by the work environment, and stressed that the extension of maternity leave in the private sector is a key factor to achieve justice Social, access to the real empowerment of women.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's remarks came on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the adoption of international standards for the protection of maternity at work, coinciding with the National Week of Breastfeeding, which is celebrated by the State from 6 to 10 November 2019. “When it comes to justice and rights for all groups,” she said. As a result of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, five years ago, Sharjah became the first emirate to grant 90 days paid maternity leave to its government employees. And Mieh ».

“To consolidate Sharjah's efforts to develop society and empower all its rights, the Sharjah Child-Friendly Project, formerly known as the Sharjah Child-Friendly Campaign, was launched in 2011 by an Emiri decree to promote healthy living for children and promote breastfeeding by providing a supportive environment for mothers. Lactating in the Emirate. The project included health facilities, work establishments, public places and nurseries, and these efforts resulted in Sharjah being selected as the world's first child-friendly city in 2015 by WHO and UNICEF. ''

She added: “The achievements of the emirate in terms of women's empowerment and childcare come within the context of the achievements of the State under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, President of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, President of the Family Development Foundation, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in the Emirate of Sharjah, and the policies of our wise leadership, the UAE today among the best countries in supporting women in the work environment, and the UAE law gives women working leave for 45 days paid birth Ah pay, in addition to the hours dedicated to breast-feeding for one year ».

- The law grants working women 45 days of paid maternity leave.

- Extending the duration of maternity leave in the private sector is a key factor in achieving social justice.