The Ministry of Labor and Social Development: The "Come Together" initiative has achieved psychological stability for children and their families

25-11-2020

Director of the Social Welfare Directorate at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Ms. Huda Mohammed Al-Hamood, confirmed that the "Come Together” initiative has achieved its objectives, which aim to ensure the continued implementation of rulings issued by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments regarding amicable, supervised contact between the children of divorced couples at the Ministry’s social centres. The initiative was introduced during the current health conditions to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID‑19) and to safeguard the health and safety of all concerned. Al-Hamood noted that 47.3 per cent of eligible families have benefited from the initiative, which has succeeded in facilitating friendly visits and in achieving the psychological, social and familial stability it seeks for children and their families. Such visits strengthen the relationship between each child and both parents, positively influencing the child’s psychological well‑being and ensuring the continuity of educational and social care, thereby avoiding the negative effects that could result from interrupted contact. She added that 13.9 per cent of families have ceased using the service, either because spouses have reconciled and resumed cohabitation or because the relevant court orders have been amended. Meanwhile, 38.8 per cent have suspended visits voluntarily in order to observe precautionary measures and instead maintain contact remotely. During this period, the Ministry has promoted family culture for this group by encouraging suitable alternatives such as audio‑ and video‑calls, providing psychological support to affected children and family members, and offering family counselling and guidance on remote communication to maintain connection and positive interaction amid the pandemic. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development has postponed weekly visits to its social development centres—in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and in line with Coordination Committee decisions—as part of wider efforts to reinforce preventive measures and protect families implementing judicial rulings, their children and employees from COVID‑19. The Ministry has also produced an electronic questionnaire for beneficiaries of the child‑contact programme in social centres, with the aim of identifying obstacles and difficulties encountered in implementing visit orders amicably under exceptional circumstances, and of developing practical solutions within the “Come Together” initiative.