UAE unveils new child protection measures amid family disputes
Ministry of Justice announces national initiatives focusing on psychological support and safe environments for children during custody cases, as part of the country's Year of the Family campaign.
Mariam Al Mansoori
UAE launches initiatives to protect children in family disputes
The UAE has introduced a comprehensive package of national initiatives designed to safeguard children caught in family disputes, placing psychological wellbeing and family stability at the centre of custody arrangements.
The measures were announced at a conference organised by the Ministry of Justice's Judicial Training Institute in partnership with the General Women's Union, held under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation. The initiatives form part of the government's designation of 2026 as the Year of the Family, a policy framework channelling resources into family welfare, dispute resolution and child protection across all seven emirates.
The conference, themed "Protecting and Caring for Children in Custody: A Shared Family and Institutional Responsibility," brought together judges, legal experts, psychologists and government officials to address how children can be better protected following parental separation.
New framework for post-separation families
Central to the initiatives is the Post-Separation Family Charter, which establishes a framework for managing family relationships after parents separate. The charter encourages ongoing cooperation between parents and ensures that children's needs remain the primary consideration during custody arrangements.
Participants emphasised the critical importance of providing psychological support to children affected by family disputes. This approach reflects a growing trend in UAE courts, where child psychologists and welfare experts are increasingly consulted in contested custody cases to determine arrangements that best support emotional stability and long-term development.
The initiatives come against a backdrop of recent legal reforms. Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2024 on the Issuance of the Personal Status Law, which came into force in April 2025, modernised family law provisions including custody, marriage and divorce matters. Under the current framework, joint custody has become the default arrangement for children until age 18, representing a significant shift from previous age-based custody rules.
Safe spaces and support centres
Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women's Union, explained that protecting children extends beyond legal rights to encompass emotional support, family stability and safe environments for growth. The General Women's Union, established in 1975 as the UAE's first national women's organisation, has been at the forefront of coordinating women's and children's initiatives across the country.
Al Suwaidi highlighted the Child Custody Visitation Centre at the General Women's Union headquarters, created in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. The centre provides a secure environment where children can maintain relationships with both parents while receiving psychological and social support. It aims to reduce the impact of family disputes on children and strengthen their sense of security.
The facility builds on existing infrastructure established under Ministerial Resolution No. 1150 of 2010, which created Child Visitation Centres offering supervised visitation environments and family counselling programmes. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has operated these centres since 2020, when it introduced mandatory family guidance programmes, the first initiative of its kind in the GCC region, designed to reduce court cases and minimise psychological trauma through dialogue and mediation.
Strengthening legal protections
Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Federal Judicial Council, stressed that the UAE has developed comprehensive laws and judicial procedures to protect children's rights, particularly during family disputes. He emphasised that effective child protection requires coordination between courts, government institutions and organisations responsible for family welfare.
Recent legal developments have reinforced these protections. Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2023 tightened rules on international child relocation, requiring written consent from the other parent or a court order before a child can be moved out of the UAE, with criminal penalties for violations. Additionally, children aged 15 and above now have the statutory right to express their custodial preference to the court, though judges retain final authority based on the child's best interests.
The urgency of these measures is underscored by Ministry of Justice data showing that approximately 30 per cent of divorces in the UAE occur within the first year of marriage. Between 2020 and 2024, 851 of 2,857 divorce cases registered across federal courts in four emirates took place within the first year.
Digital protection and awareness
Conference discussions also examined the role of public prosecution in protecting children from online risks and the importance of early psychological intervention. Experts analysed how digital platforms and media can contribute to child protection and raise awareness about children's rights.
The conference concluded with recommendations calling for enhanced cooperation between judicial, police and community organisations. Participants also advocated for improved procedures related to child custody and expanded awareness programmes for families.
The initiatives aim to ensure that children remain protected and supported throughout family disputes, with their safety and wellbeing placed at the centre of all custody decisions.
