DOHA: Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) is hosting an international conference on families and their role in societies’ development as part of the 20th anniversary of International Year of the Family.
The conference will take place on April 16-17 at Qatar National Convention Centre, under the theme ‘Empowering Families, a Pathway to Development’.
“The conference represents an international initiative that reflects DIFI on a regional and international level, as it brings together policymakers, NGOs, experts and academics to discuss how families can be empowered, revisit challenges faced by families worldwide and highlight the role of effective national policies in promoting family well-being. We are honoured to host it,” said DIFI Executive Director Noor Al Malki Al Jehani.
The report of the UN Secretary-General issued on December 3, 2013 emphasises on preparations for the celebrations of the anniversary and the role of DIFI in preparation for the event, referring to efforts made by it such as organising the Middle East and North Africa regional expert group meeting ‘Protecting the Arab family from poverty: employment, social integration and intergenerational solidarity,’ in Doha last June.
The report also tackles some of the findings of the meeting: Discussions pointed out that despite the rhetoric in support of the family in the region, family allowances, adequate maternity leave and child care provisions are practically non-existent; labour market participation by women remains the lowest in the world while the rate of unemployment among women is the highest in the world. Child marriage is prevalent, with little progress in gender equality.
More than 80 speakers from across the world will share views and experiences regarding the centrality of the family and its role in society.
They include the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi, Yang Berhormat Dato Hajah Rohani binti Haji Abd Karim, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Malaysia, and Vincent Meriton, Minister for Community Development, Social Affairs and Sports, Seychelles.
The conference aims at strengthening and empowering the family as a key component of society. Focusing on the themes of confronting family poverty and social exclusion, ensuring work-family balance and advancing social integration and intergenerational solidarity, the conference will discuss family policies in the post-2015 development agenda.
The Peninsula
