Regarding DIFI's role in developing the recently announced flexible and remote work system in the government sector, the Executive Director of DIFI Dr. Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi stated to QNA that the institute presented recommendations regarding the system which later led the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB) to implement it. The DIFI study "Work-Family Balance: Challenges, Experiences and Implications for Families in Qatar" showed that long working hours lead to fatigue and stress among Qataris especially working mothers and thus affect the needs of the family, Dr. Al Emadi said. She added that the study indicated that 49.4 percent of male employees and 38.4 percent of female employees expressed dissatisfaction with their working hours, and in response to this, CGB announced a flexible and remote work system that allows Qatari female employees with children under the age of 12 to work remotely for one month annually. Other provisions included reducing working hours for reasons such as d isability, medical excuses and maternity benefits. DIFI's recommendations which were presented to the Cabinet included granting maternity leave for at least three months with full pay and three optional months with half pay, granting fathers a one-week paternity leave, providing nurseries in workplaces, and creating special rooms for mothers to store milk. It was also suggested that fathers accompany sick children during treatment as well as limit working hours in the public sector to a maximum of 30 hours per week. Dr. Al Emadi explained that this new system provides flexible work options so that working mothers can select working hours that best suit their family schedule and bring a balance between work and family which in turn helps them manage their time better. She expressed her hope that this system will be developed to include giving sufficient paid leave for mothers after childbirth, in addition to providing support programs for new mothers. She stressed the importance of supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs) by providing the necessary tools and technology that would better help them perform their tasks more effectively, in addition to creating a work environment to meet their needs, providing flexible work options according to their health conditions, allowing PWDs to work remotely to avoid any difficulties during transportation, and providing individual support programs to help them deal with daily challenges. DIFI Executive Director highlighted that the institute participated in formulating many family-related policies. It launched several prominent initiatives including the "Tansheeh" program which is structured to protect teenagers from behavioral problems. The program was implemented in all schools by the Ministry of Education and High Education (MOEHE) in 2023. She noted that DIFI additionally called for mandatory pre-marriage programs to help reduce divorce rates and that the institute is currently working on developing a curriculum for family relations for secondary schools which is scheduled to be launched this year. DIFI is also developing parenting programs that were adopted by the Ministry to educate parents and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge they need to upbring their children, Dr. Al Emadi added. Regarding DIFI's role on the regional and international scale, Dr. Al Emadi stated that the institute plays an influential role in family policies through its cooperation with United Nations (UN) agencies and the issuance of important reports including its report on "Framework of Family-Sensitive Social Protection" which it completed in cooperation with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). DIFI also worked with the League of Arab States on a first-of-its-kind survey evaluating marital relations during the first five years of marriage in the Arab world. In 2018, the institute established a partnership with the UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to increase the presence of parental education programs across the Arab region, Dr. Al Emadi underlined. She expressed her hope to achieve a long-term impact on the family policy by establishing a set of strategic priorities and ambitious initiatives through increasing the number of studies, developing more effective advocacy strategies, establishing strong partnerships, and designing special policies and programs to support PWDs, working mothers and families with low-income. Executive Director of DIFI Dr. Al Emadi concluded her statements to QNA by saying that work is currently being made to implement innovative awareness and educational initiatives and programs, provide workshops and training courses aimed at professionals and decision-makers on best practices in supporting the family, in addition to establishing international research partnerships to exchange knowledge and expertise to improve family matters locally, regionally or globally. Source: Qatar News Agency