The UAE may soon introduce changes to maternity leave in the private sector, following discussions held during the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The proposal was reviewed under the session titled “Family Growth Supportive Policies”, which explored ways to strengthen family stability while empowering working women.
The proposed review aims to strike a crucial balance between supporting families, enhancing women’s participation in the workforce, and ensuring business sustainability. Officials emphasized that updated maternity leave policies would help reinforce national development goals and promote a healthier work-life balance across the private sector.
Family-focused national dialogue
The meetings also featured sessions under the “Pulse of the Nation” platform — an interactive forum bringing together federal and local government representatives to discuss policies supporting Emirati families.
Sana Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family, attended the discussions, which covered:
- Family formation
- Work–family balance
- Family-supportive infrastructure
- Reproductive health
- Social support systems
- Long-term family sustainability
Work–family balance now a national priority
The session titled “Family Growth – Balancing Work and Family Life” highlighted the growing necessity of helping parents manage both professional and family responsibilities. Participants stressed that maintaining work–family balance is no longer optional, but essential for the well-being of families and for societal stability.
Speakers called for more flexible workplace practices, updated family-supportive policies, and frameworks that reflect the pace of modern working life. They noted that improving work–life balance leads to better mental health, higher productivity, and a stronger foundation for future generations.
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