Dubai: Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the ‘Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Program’.
The initiative aims to support the growth, stability, and wellbeing of families in Dubai, strengthen community values, enhance the quality of life, and promote work-life balance by offering financial, social, and educational support.
The program reflects Her Highness’s commitment to empowering Emirati families and fostering their stability and growth.
Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum emphasized that the program aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to strengthen family stability and reinforce the family’s role as the core of a cohesive society. It also aligns with national priorities to empower Emirati families and prepare them for future challenges.
The ‘Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Program’ introduces a forward-looking vision for the Emirati family with a comprehensive support package. This includes wedding support, housing assistance, flexible work policies, and social, financial, and housing awareness programs.
It is in line with the objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to foster happy, connected, and value-driven families and double the number of Emirati families in the emirate by 2033.
Phase One Initiatives
Paid Leave and Work Flexibility:
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- 10-day paid marriage leave for government sector employees in Dubai.
- Remote work option on Fridays for mothers during the first year after maternity leave.
Housing Loan Premium Reduction:
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- The program reduces the monthly premium for housing loans to a minimum of AED3,333 ($907) for beneficiaries of the Dubai Weddings program, provided their monthly income does not exceed AED30,000 ($8,167).
Dubai Weddings Program:
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- Launched in January 2024 under the directives of Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, the program covers wedding ceremony costs and provides wedding halls and neighborhood Majlises free of charge.
- Offers financial support to both husband and wife and a range of discounts, including those through the Esaad card.
- By the end of 2024, facilitated 344 weddings, accounting for 28.3% of all Emirati weddings in Dubai, contributing to a 10.1% increase in Emirati weddings compared to 2023.
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Housing Support
In collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, the program prioritizes the allocation of ready-made housing for loan beneficiaries under the Dubai Weddings program.
Training Initiatives
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- ‘Start it Right’ Marital Awareness Program: Helps young people acquire essential social and emotional skills to plan their lives wisely and create happy families while facing challenges positively. To date, 1,013 individuals have benefited, and 208 have received financial support.
- Financial Literacy Course: Offered to members of the Dubai Weddings program to assist couples in managing finances, planning for the future, and ensuring long-term stability.
- ‘How to Build Your Home’ Program: In collaboration with the New Economy Academy, this program empowers housing loan beneficiaries to develop the skills required to build their homes economically and efficiently.
Eligibility and Benefits:
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- These benefits will apply to new members of the Dubai Weddings program from January 4, 2025.
- Housing benefits are available for those who apply within one year of benefiting from the Dubai Weddings program.
Future Phases
Future phases of the ‘Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Family Program’ will expand its scope by introducing new packages and benefits in education, health, and other social services.
All Emirati citizens in Dubai who are planning to marry can register for the Dubai Weddings program, provided the prospective bride is an Emirati citizen.