Dr Naema Al Shamsi, Director of the Family Development Department at the Community Development Authority in Dubai, affirmed that the celebration of World Father's Day comes in recognition of the pivotal role that fathers play in building the family and reinforcing its stability and cohesion.
She noted that the authority was keen to organise a series of interactive events and activities for fathers and their children who benefit from the child visitation service, contributing to the strengthening of family bonds and consolidating positive relationships between fathers and their children.
She said that the authority, represented by the Child Visitation Service Department, was keen — coinciding with World Father's Day — to provide a safe environment enabling separated parents to exercise their right to see and communicate with their children, in a manner that serves the best interests of the child. The service is provided through two community centres, one in Al Barsha and another in Al Mizhar.
She added that this occasion represents an opportunity to highlight the importance of maintaining ongoing family communication between fathers and their children, stressing the authority's commitment to developing services and programmes that support family stability and enhance the quality of life for members of the community.
The authority emphasised, through awareness messages accompanying the events, that the cohesive family represents the nucleus of society, and that building a secure future for children requires a shared awareness from both parents.
The authority explained that the comprehensive psychological development of children begins with a containment phase, in which the child feels a fundamental sense of security through a clear expression of love and the presence of both parents in their life without anxiety, followed by a communication phase involving the building of positive channels that ensure a continuous emotional flow from both the father and the mother alike.
It affirmed that maternal awareness builds bridges of moral stability, as the aware mother acts as a safety valve by facilitating effective and continuous communication between children and their father with full flexibility, respecting shared rights, and recognising that parenthood is an eternal partnership that does not end with the end of the marital relationship.
The authority pointed out that present and responsible fatherhood — representing the father's moral and psychological presence — is a safety valve for children, and that continuous care and the exercise of the paternal role are an inherent right of the child and a sustained moral duty that never ceases. It also highlighted the importance of creating cherished memories and dedicating quality interactive time to consolidate emotional bonds despite the circumstances of separation.
It noted that the fruits of parental harmony and educational awareness are reflected in children's self-confidence and determination, as a child witnessing mutual respect between their father and mother is helped to grow into a strong, confident personality free from internal emotional conflicts.