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The Supreme Council for Family Affairs' interest in the well
being of the family unit is part and parcel of the interest
of the State of Qatar in this closely knit fabric of
society.
Article 18 of the Qatari Constitution states that: “The
Qatari society is founded on and underpinned by the
principles of justice, benevolence, freedom, equality and
noble qualities and traits.”
In Article 19, it further states that: “The State maintains
these pillars of society and safeguards security, stability
and equal opportunity for the citizens”.
As for Article 34, it stipulates that all citizens are equal
in their rights and public duties. Article 35 on the other
hand states that: “All people are equal before the law, and
there should be no discrimination between them on the
grounds of gender, ethnic origin, language or religion.”
Moreover, the constitution has focused on the status and the
position of the family unit. In Article 21 it states: “The
family is the basis of society and its constituents are
religion, morality and love of country. The law provides the
necessary means to protect the family and support it as an
entity, strengthening its ties and bonding, helping and
supporting motherhood, childhood and the elderly under its
umbrella".
The constitution, likewise, cares for the youth. It states
in Article 22 that: “The State is to care for the youth,
protect them from corruption, guard them against
exploitation, save them from physical, mental and spiritual
neglect and provide them with the appropriate conditions to
develop their abilities in various fields guided by proper
up bringing and education."
The State has been working towards building a Qatari family
whose members' lives are dominated by harmony, love and
sympathy. It has also adopted policies, initiatives and
legislation aimed at protecting the family structure and its
members.
The state has further encouraged initiatives aimed at
developing the family and empowering it to adapt to changes
in its environment. This adaptation has been done with a
view not to adversely affect the family structure or loose
its functions.
The state's efforts have persisted year after year until
they have taken the Qatari family to advanced levels in the
areas of health care, education, economic and social
activities.
Such levels of progress have reflected positively on the
lives of women, children, youth, the elderly, and those with
special needs.
The Supreme Council for Family Affairs was established under
the presidency of H. H. the Emir's Consort, Her Highness
Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Misnad. It was in accordance
with the Emiri Decree No. (53) Of the year 1998. The
decision came as an embodiment of the political leadership's
aspiration to have a supreme national authority in charge of
the affairs of the Qatari family. A body caring for the
family, examining its reality, diagnosing its ills and needs
and at the same time fulfilling its aspirations. In order to
enhance this approach, the Emiri Decree No.(23) for the year
2002 was issued specifying that the Council is to be
attached to H.H. the Emir directly and that it should have a
vice-president of the rank of a minister.
The Council seeks to adopt policies, lay out plans and
programs and launch initiatives that may contribute to
preserving the family unit as a structure by working for the
development of its capabilities and protecting its members.
"The
family is the custodian of living traditions and it
represents the bridge that crosses the borders of disparity
and it is the basic social unit of any society". |
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