With the UAE’s Cohesive Family 2021 campaign placing emphasis on building strong family bonds, it is rather disconcerting that the paternity leave issue has yet to be resolved. New fathers are granted two or three days, given at the discretion of very few employers. Men who take leave are more involved in the upbringing of their children, leading to healthier development.
For many families, taking unpaid leave is a large financial burden.
With more than 80 per cent of the population being expats, many do not have the support of extended family.
It is also unrealistic to assume that all women will have uncomplicated births and function normally.
Three days is barely enough to support someone that has possibly not even left the hospital yet. Paid paternity leave needs to be a priority for family policy development within the UAE.
Michelle Hughes, Abu Dhabi
Latest attack inside Yemen is deplorable
I refer to your article At least 10 killed in blast in Yemen government bastion (November 15). So many people were wounded in the latest attack and the nearby mosque, which was built by the UAE, was damaged. The coalition is trying to maintain peace on the ground. This attack should be investigated and the perpetrators punished.
K Ragavan, India
It’s no wonder that Shish Shawerma is expanding
I refer to your article Founder of Shish Shawerma eyes expansion outside the UAE (November 12). This place has amazing food, especially the bread, but it is a bit too expensive to order from regularly.
Gus Kosta Bougadis, Abu Dhabi
It’s little wonder that the founder is looking to expand. The shawarmas at his place really are the best I have ever tasted.
Mark Paul Santillan, Abu Dhabi
Boarding schools seem to be the new 'in' thing
In reference to your article, More parents living in UAE look abroad for better value schools (November 9), sadly, many boarding schools turn out to be more cost-effective in the long run.
Name withheld by request
The fight against disease has taken on a new front in UAE
This refers to the article Fight to eradicate the world's worst infectious diseases comes to Abu Dhabi (November 14). This country is so impressive. Eradicating malaria and other diseases are big challenges.
Mary Smith, Dubai
Moderation breeds tolerance, extremism breeds terrorism
In reference to your article, No future for political Islam in the Middle East (November 13), the problem is not with religion, but with human greed and ambition. Some in the West think terror is inherent within Islam. It is not. Moderation breeds tolerance. Extremism has a cult of its own.
Asyah Elisabeth Meel, Abu Dhabi
