ABU DHABI // Dr Mona Al Bahar’s massive experience is reflected in her role at the FNC.
The sociologist embarked on her journey at age 18, establishing a society to assist Emiratis with special needs in Sharjah. Later she became the first Emirati social worker with a doctorate from a US university.
On the council Dr Al Bahar is an advocate for social issues, particularly when the Child Rights bill was in debate. When another FNC member wanted to strip specialists of the right to remove a child from his home if found to be in imminent danger, she fought to keep the clause.
“What is more important, the sanctity of a house, or a child’s life?” she asked the council in her usual calm and reasoning tone.
Outside the council she continued to be a firm supporter of the bill when the public revealed its dismay.
At a public forum, she reassured anxious audience members that the power to remove children from their homes would not be used arbitrarily and each case would be studied individually.
As chairman of the Education, Youth and Media committee in the FNC – and with years of experience as a professor at UAE University – Dr Al Bahar has shown great interest in scientific research, pushing to increase funding to help the country move towards a knowledge-based society.
She has also led the committee in several forums with teachers around the country, in a study to see what was leading many to leave the profession. Months of research revealed their main concerns were over pay and retirement benefits.
“We noticed in the faculty of education at UAE University that high-school students were turning away from education specialities, some of which even had zero registration on a certain year,” she said.
In FNC public sessions, she has made regular contributions to debates on health, pensions and issues relating to women’s rights.
osalem@thenational.ae
