Links from entity websites

You will find all eServices relating to social protection on the Services A-Z page. In addition, find below links to eServices on the website of respective entities responsible for the social protection sector in the UAE.

• Ministry of Community Development
• Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination
• Community Development Authority- Dubai
• Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority (in Arabic)
• Social Services Department – Government of Sharjah
• General Pensions and Social Security Authority (GPSSA)
• Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme (SZHP)
• Abu Dhabi Housing Authority(ADHA)
• Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MBRHE).

Soun system for early detection of domestic abuse

‘Soun’ is an innovative system for early detection of potential abuse of any family member.

It can help a person identify if he/she might be a victim of possible domestic abuse by getting answers to a set of questions.

Results are displayed in colour codes as explained below:

• Green means the person is safe
• Orange means he/she needs consultation from a specialist to be helped to feel stable
• Red means he/she needs help in terms of special protection to live a safe and stable life.

The system also offers guidance on what to do if his/her situation falls under a yellow or red situation. It aims to maintain the stability of the family and achieve its well-being.

The system provides:

• educational awareness videos to raise the level of knowledge about domestic violence issues
• information about laws that protect people from domestic abuse
• Family Protection Guide, which provides information on how to handle family crises and how to avoid negative impact on the stability of families.

Soun is an Arabic word which means safeguard. Access Soun on the ‘MOCD Connect’ app available on App Store and Google Play.

Related links

• Family Protection Guide 2022 (PDF, 500 KB)
• Brochure on Soun
• ‘Soun’ Innovative System for Early Detection Against Potential Abuse maintains family protection, wellbeing – WAM

Get free family counselling and consultation

The UAE government provides free of charge family counselling and consultation through the following entities:

• Ministry of Community Development (MoCD)
• Judicial Department-Abu Dhabi
• Family Development Foundation

MoCD provides family counselling and consultations to UAE nationals and residents through:

• Hotline 800623
• Family counselling eService
• The ministry’s customers happiness centres.

MoCD in collaboration with the General Women's Union, and ten other federal and local entities launched the ‘Unified Family Counselling Portal’ to provide family counselling services.

Ministry of Justice provides smart family counselling, which uses artificial intelligence  to ensure efficient and speedy response to all inquiries and consultations.

In Abu Dhabi use this eService to get family counselling or call Family Development Foundation on toll free no. 800 33322

In Dubai, you can seek help from a social worker and make an appointment by calling Community Development Authority (CDA) at toll free number 8002121.  

In Sharjah, Women's Protection Centre of the Social Services Department of Government of Sharjah (SSSD) has allocated a toll free number 800-800-700 to provide social, psychological and legal counselling and solutions to domestic issues by legal, social and psychological specialists. SSSD also provides family consultations through its website (available only in Arabic).

Related links

• Family conciliation - Dubai Courts
• Family guidance - Judicial Department -Abu Dhabi