Abu Dhabi’s New Charter for Child-Centric Parenting
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, serving as the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, has introduced a significant new initiative known as the “Post-Separation Charter – Year of the Family.” This framework is designed to protect children’s psychological and emotional stability when parents decide to end their marriage. By shifting the focus away from parental conflict, the charter mandates that the child’s best interests remain the primary consideration, emphasizing that a dissolution of marriage should never signify the end of a parent’s duty to provide a secure, nurturing, and collaborative upbringing.
The charter mandates that parents maintain active cooperation regarding their children's education, religious upbringing, and overall physical and mental health. It explicitly prohibits disparaging the other parent in front of the children and forbids using legal rights—such as visitation or financial support—as tools for manipulation or bargaining. Instead, the document encourages amicable communication, requiring that parents consult one another on major life decisions. If disagreements arise, the charter directs families toward the Family Guidance Centre for mediation, ensuring that disputes are resolved peacefully before they ever reach a courtroom.