Dubai: The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) has received a delegation from the Family Care Authority, led by Maryam Al Zaabi, Executive Director of the Containment and Care Sector, to discuss institutional integration, best practices in social care, and rehabilitation standards for women and children.

The visit also aimed to enhance cooperation between the two entities, with discussions covering DFWAC’s case management system, child interview protocols, and evaluation mechanisms. 

The delegation was also introduced to specialized programs designed to support survivors of abuse and vulnerable individuals, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, comprehensive care.

The delegation was welcomed by Dr. Ghanima Al Bahri, Director of the Care and Rehabilitation Department, who briefed the guests on DFWAC’s pivotal role in providing psychosocial support to children. 

She outlined the international best practices adopted by DFWAC to rehabilitate children and facilitate their reintegration into society, including psychological support programs, behavioural rehabilitation, education, and social empowerment initiatives. 
Dr. Al Bahri also shed light on the foundation’s specialised programs and services, such as play therapy and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy (AAP), both of which have proven effective in reducing stress and anxiety in children.

These programs are part of the foundation’s holistic care approach, ensuring that psychological and emotional well-being are prioritised while helping children recover from traumatic experiences.

During the visit, the delegation toured the care and rehabilitation facilities, designed to meet the unique needs of both women and children, including areas dedicated to psychological and social support programs, such as the play therapy room, which helps children express their emotions and rebuild confidence in an innovative way, alongside supervision and care systems.

Dr. Ghanima Al Bahri emphasised that taking care of children psychologically and socially is not merely a responsibility but a strategic commitment that reflects the vision of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.

She noted that the foundation’s mission goes beyond providing care, focusing on rebuilding trust and giving children who have faced hardships a real opportunity to heal and move towards a more stable future.

She stressed that collaborating with the Family Care Authority is a step toward aligning efforts across institutions, helping to fulfil the goals of the Year of Community and supporting Dubai’s Social Agenda 33, which aims to create a stronger, more inclusive social protection system. By working together, she noted, the impact of programs supporting children can be expanded, and the level of care can be raised to meet evolving needs.

"When we share expertise and work as one, we create a more effective system of protection and support," Dr. Al Bahri said.  "Investing in children isn’t just aimed at helping them today—but also at shaping a safer, more just future and ensuring we raise a generation that will contribute to a stronger, more connected society."