Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially declared the emirate of Sharjah a "Baby and Family Friendly" emirate. This announcement marks an important milestone in Sharjah's ongoing journey to strengthen a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for children and families.
According to Emirates News Agency, this declaration represents the culmination of Sharjah's continuous efforts in implementing comprehensive, family-focused policies across various sectors, based on the standards of the Sharjah Baby and Family Friendly accreditation. This move further reinforces Sharjah's status as a leading model in child and family care at the regional level.
The standards of Sharjah Baby and Family Friendly reflect the sustainability of the 'Sharjah Child Friendly' project, an initiative launched in 2011. The project evolved in 2024 to become the 'Sharjah Baby and Family Friendly' accreditation, promoting a culture of shared responsibility towards family wellbeing across both public and private sectors.
Historically, Sharjah has been a pioneer in providing services dedicated to motherhood and childhood in the United Arab Emirates since the 1950s. It was the first emirate to establish services for mothers, children, and people of determination. Sharjah's long-term investment in building a supportive, family-friendly environment is evident in a wide range of initiatives implemented and enhanced in recent years. These include providing mother- and child-friendly health facilities, family-centred urban planning and public spaces, flexible and supportive parental work policies, and creating workplaces, nurseries, and public spaces that support breastfeeding. Additionally, awareness campaigns and community programs promote maternal and child health.
Sharjah has also been at the forefront of extending fully paid maternity leave to 12 weeks and offering additional family-supportive benefits, alongside introducing the four-day work week to enhance work-life balance.
Sharjah's achievements have garnered broad international recognition. In 2015, it became the first Child-Friendly city acknowledged by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation. Another milestone was achieved in 2018 when it was declared the first 'Child and Adolescent-Friendly Emirate' by UNICEF. Sharjah continues its commitment to Baby-Friendly Cities, renewing its membership in UNICEF's Child-Friendly Cities Initiative in November 2025.
The Emirate of Sharjah remains steadfast in strengthening its child and family-friendly framework through comprehensive, community-engaged policies and initiatives. These efforts aim to set new standards for child and family-centred development at both regional and global levels.