DIFI, UN Population Fund sign MoU on Arab family issues

Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Nation’s Population Fund, the Arab States Regional Office (UNFPA-ASRO).By contributing to the global knowledge base on issues facing the Arab family, encouraging knowledge exchange, and ensuring prioritisation by policymakers, DIFI supports Qatar Foundation’s mission to contribute to human development and productive change while promoting Qatar’s transformation into a successful knowledge-based economy. The MoU between the UNFPA-ASRO and DIFI will provide a comprehensive framework to facilitate collaboration in areas of common interest, specifically in addressing Arab family issues. Together, the organisations aim to further progress in the region through the collaboration and engagement of civil society in raising awareness on the importance of family and empowering women, involving men and powerful stakeholders through advocacy and policy dialogue, and unacceptable practices such as Gender Based Violence (GBV), child or early marriage. Noor al-Malki al-Jehani, Executive Director of DIFI, stated: “The MoU will provide opportunities for capacity building, exchange and transfer of best practice and research and studies. It will also provide a framework for working with UNFPA on joint projects and advocacy activities that will enhance the role of both organisations in attaining human and sustainable development goals in the region.”Said Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, Regional Director of Arab States - United Nations Population fund (UNFPA), added: “The partnership will utilise UNFPA’s international experience and DIFI’s strong research capacity and regional outreach to technically support DIFI’s flagship report on the ‘State of Arab Family’. DIFI’s study is based on the lessons learned and best practices from UNFPA’s ‘State of the World Population’ report; transferring experiences from a global to a regional level.” UNFPA-ASRO co-operates and assists governments in the formulation, adoption, and implementation of their population policies and development strategies. The organisation has in-depth expertise in the field of development and cooperation in reproductive health, gender issues including, Arab family GBV, population and development integrating a human rights based and culturally sensitive approach. DIFI was founded in 2006 to support family, parental and child rights and dignity, with the mission of encouraging, supporting, and promoting the implementation of the Doha Declaration, and to reaffirm international commitments to strengthen the family.