Sharjah 24: As part of Sharjah Social Services Department’s (SSSD) participation in the 42nd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), the Department’s Family Forum Centre organised a workshop and lecture on the “Parental Relationship Document“and “Healthy Divorce” for the public, presented by Fayza Khabab, Director of the Centre; and reviewed the importance of signing the document, especially since it affects children.

Fayza Khabab said that “Parental Relationship Document” protects the child, in light of the separation of parents, and it is one of the means to ensure a successful, civilised and planned divorce for the benefit of children in custody. 

Fayza Khabab added that the Document includes all common aspects such as alimony, education, health, housing, and vision in a way that preserves the child’s dignity and rights. 

Khabab continued by saying that the agreement was issued pursuant to an Amiri decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which is an indication of His Highness’s interest in preserving the family relationship and children’s life among separated parents without using them as a means of pressure. 

According to Khabbab, SSSD is keen to implement the rulings and agreements related to visitation rights issued by the court, and to preserve the psychology of children and their parents through the Family Forum Centre. Therefore, the objectives of the document are to preserve the rights and interests of children that may be negatively affected after separation, and to achieve a successful divorce in which mutual respect prevails, taking into account the rights and obligations of the parties, and being proactive in resolving and confronting differences and disputes. 

The Director of the Family Forum Centre called on couples who suffer from marital problems to review “Parental Relationship Document” to understand the child’s rights, which puts the child’s interest at the top of its goals.

Among the terms of a healthy divorce, parents shall agree not to criticise each other in front of their children, and agree on boundaries and behavioural guidelines related to raising children regardless of which parent they live with. 

Fayza Khabab explained that parents must negotiate and agree on the role that members of the extended family will play in the event that either parent has children, which leads to the role played by grandparents, as long as the grandparents adhere to the same standards agreed upon by the two parties, in addition to the role of the stepfather and stepmother in the life of children.

Fayza Khabab concluded that one of the commandments of a healthy divorce is to agree on a means of communication to discuss issues related to the children’s development, and to be keen to inform each other of the latest developments that occur in the lives of either of them, as well as to be keen on committing to the joint plan to mitigate the effects of divorce so that children can be successful and recover.