Sharjah Approves Care Leave for Mothers of Children With Disabilities
Female government employees will be eligible for extended paid leave to care for children who need long-term medical attention.
Sharjah has introduced a new leave policy aimed at supporting working mothers who care for children with disabilities or chronic illnesses. The decision was announced by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
The newly approved "Care Leave" allows female government employees to take one year of fully paid leave, which may be extended up to a maximum of three years under specific conditions. To qualify, mothers must submit certified medical documentation confirming the child’s condition, and extensions will be subject to annual health reviews and approval from relevant authorities.
The policy, which follows a two-year study conducted by NAMA Women Advancement in cooperation with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, seeks to ease the burden on families balancing work commitments with ongoing care responsibilities.
The Care Leave will be counted towards the employee’s total years of service and performance evaluations, ensuring that mothers taking extended time off do not face penalties to their career progression.
