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Globally, engaging fathers in early diagnosis and care for young children with disabilities remains a challenge, including in the UAE. Despite efforts to support people of determination, cultural norms, workplace policies, and healthcare gaps often limit paternal involvement. Fathers play a critical role in early diagnosis and intervention, which significantly influence the developmental outcomes of children of determination (YCOD).
This policy brief builds on prior research, leveraging policy dialogues and secondary analyses of global and national studies to outline barriers and enablers to paternal engagement. It highlights the UAE’s strides, such as the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination, while identifying areas that remain unaddressed, including the need for targeted father-focused initiatives.
Key recommendations include the development of national guidelines for father engagement, enhancement of parental leave policies, specialized training for professionals, and public awareness campaigns to shift cultural norms around fatherhood. Establishing father support networks and centralized resource hubs is also emphasized to improve accessibility to services and information.
To foster an inclusive environment, governments must lead by implementing multi-sectoral strategies, advocating for father-friendly workplace policies, and ensuring adequate funding for programs that enable paternal involvement. These efforts can enhance developmental outcomes for children, strengthen family bonds, and promote societal inclusion for people of determination in the UAE.