AmCham Kuwait, in collaboration with UNICEF, AmCham Oman, and AmCham Lebanon, and with the support of the British Business Forum, the Canadians in Kuwait, the Lebanese Business Council, and the Portuguese Business Council, recently organized a webinar to address the critical importance of family-friendly policies in both the private and public sectors in the Arab Gulf region. This virtual event brought together experts, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore and discuss multifaceted approaches to support working families.
The webinar served as a platform for key discussions and insights from prominent speakers, including Walid Abou Jaoude, Erika Strand, and Christopher Kip, all from UNICEF. Walid Abou Jaoude began the session with an enlightening presentation, shedding light on UNICEF’s overarching mandate to champion the rights of children at all stages of development. He emphasized UNICEF’s commitment to protecting children from violence, ensuring access to education, social protection, creating a safe environment, and promoting children’s overall well-being. He also highlighted the importance of engaging and collaborating with the private sector to support children through various channels, such as advocating for parental policies at work.
The discussion further delved into UNICEF’s critical role in addressing emergencies, climate change actions, and innovative solutions to improve the lives of children globally. Erika Strand, in her presentation, focused on the cascading impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on families and children. She presented new evidence on child development, emphasizing the core capacities that are essential for cognitive, mental, and physical health. Strand also mentioned that UNICEF will present a study in 2024, providing more detailed descriptions of the family-friendly policies already in place in Gulf countries and identifying remaining gaps.
Christopher Kip concluded the session by highlighting the significance of family-friendly policies in the workplace. He defined these policies as measures that balance family and work life, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and gender sensitivity. Kip called for governments and businesses to take action, including implementing paid parental leave, supporting breastfeeding, providing affordable and quality childcare, and ensuring adequate wages and child benefits. These actions are crucial in linking working conditions for parents to the health, well-being, and development of their children.
The collaborative effort between AmCham Kuwait and UNICEF reflects a shared commitment to creating supportive environments for working families. By advocating for family-friendly policies, the aim is to maximize children’s potential and foster social and economic development in the Gulf region.
The importance of family-friendly policies cannot be overstated, especially for Filipino Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Kuwait and their families. OFWs often face unique challenges due to their separation from their families and the need to provide for their loved ones back home. Family-friendly policies can help alleviate some of these challenges by providing support and resources to OFWs and their families.
For Filipino OFWs in Kuwait, family-friendly policies could include measures such as flexible working hours to allow for communication with their families in different time zones, financial assistance for education and healthcare expenses, and access to counseling and support services. These policies can help OFWs balance their work responsibilities with their family obligations, ultimately improving their overall well-being and the well-being of their children.
Furthermore, family-friendly policies can also have a positive impact on the recruitment and retention of Filipino OFWs in Kuwait. When employers prioritize the well-being of their employees’ families, it creates a supportive and inclusive work environment. This, in turn, can lead to higher job satisfaction and loyalty among Filipino OFWs, benefiting both the employees and the employers.
In conclusion, the collaboration between AmCham Kuwait and UNICEF to advance family-friendly policies in the Gulf region is a significant step towards creating a better future for working families. Filipino OFWs in Kuwait and their families stand to benefit greatly from these policies, as they provide much-needed support and resources. By prioritizing the well-being of families, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous society for all.
