Chairman of Shura Council's Social Affairs, Labor and Housing Committee to QNA: Strengthening parental care Is a shared national responsibility
His Excellency Chairman of the Social, Labor and Housing Affairs Committee at the Shura Council Dr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Dhabit Al Dosari affirmed that the focus on parenting and the role of parents in fulfilling this responsibility stems from firmly rooted constitutional and national principles that place the family at the core of society and the foundation of its stability.In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr. Al Dosari said that this approach aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which places the building of a cohesive family at the heart of development priorities. He pointed out that the responsibility of upbringing and strengthening parental care is a shared national responsibility.HE added that the Shura Council's interest in this issue is based on the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, particularly HH's remarks in the opening speech of the current session, where he emphasised the importance of strengthening family cohesion and the role of parents in raising their children.Dr. Al Dosari explained that the issue is directly linked to protecting national identity and reinforcing societal values, thereby enhancing social stability and sustainable development. He noted that the Council submitted a proposal to the government in its recent session on May 4 titled "Enhancing Parental Care and Supporting Family Cohesion," following extensive study and 12 sittings with various relevant authorities in the country.He explained that the proposal included several key areas, such as establishing a national body on parental care and family cohesion, developing labor systems, and updating worker recruitment policies, as well as addressing nurseries, education policies, religious guidance, and media roles.On the challenges posed by globalization and technological openness, Dr. Al Dosari said that upbringing is a shared responsibility that begins with the family as the primary environment and extends to schools and state institutions, stressing the importance of integrated roles to ensure balanced awareness among children in facing these challenges.HE further noted that strengthening the parental role in upbringing requires active involvement from both father and mother, through instilling values and fostering positive family communication, which contributes to building children's self-confidence and strengthening family stability.Regarding children's use of technology and smart devices, HE said that unregulated use represents one of the most significant contemporary challenges due to its behavioral and cognitive impacts, calling for stronger supervision and supportive workplace privileges.In this context, HE emphasized the need to monitor and follow content published on social media platforms and applications that negatively affect family cohesion and youth, or contradict religion, national identity, and traditions.He added that the proposal also called for conducting research and studies related to family care, identifying challenges, monitoring social phenomena affecting families, and providing solutions.On reliance on domestic workers, Dr Al Dosari warned that excessive dependence on them in raising children affects the parental role, stressing the need to restore balance so that the primary role remains with parents, while regulating the role of domestic workers through clear guidelines.He also highlighted the role of institutions concerned with family affairs, noting that the multiplicity of such entities can be a strength if their efforts are coordinated. He also stressed the importance of developing an integrated national system for parental care based on coordination among relevant bodies and enhanced awareness programs.On responsibility of upbringing, Dr. Al Dosari emphasized that raising children is a national, moral, and religious duty that requires shared awareness between parents and relevant institutions, underscoring the importance of leading by example in instilling values.He explained that a stable family environment positively reflects on children's psychological and mental health and contributes to improved their academic performance and social behavior.HE Chairman of the Social, Labor and Housing Affairs Committee at the Shura Council Dr. Sultan bin Hassan Al Dhabit Al Dosari told QNA that rapid global changes necessitate the development of policies and legislation that support families, enabling them to raise a conscious and cohesive generation aligned with the aspirations of the State and the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.The Shura Council reviewed, in its fourth session on Nov. 10, 2025, a request for general discussion submitted by a number of Their Excellencies members of the Council regarding enhancing the role of parents in fulfilling their educational responsibilities, and referred it to the Social Affairs, Labor and Housing Committee to study it and submit its report on it to the Council.The committee held 12 meetings, starting with preparatory sessions to study the topic and define its framework, followed by extended meetings with parents, officials, educators, and community stakeholders from various sectors.The committee concluded its comprehensive study by submitting a proposal aimed at empowering parents to effectively fulfill their educational role by addressing challenges that hinder their ability to care for their children and supporting family cohesion, in line with constitutional principles protecting the family and childhood.In this context, the Council reviewed the committee’s report in its 28th session on May 4, and after extensive discussions, decided to submit the proposal to the government.The proposal includes six main pillars: establishing a permanent national committee for parental care and family cohesion, developing labor systems and job benefits, domestic worker recruitment policies, nurseries, education and higher education policies, as well as religious guidance and media.