Law No. (15) of 2007

Establishing the

Dubai Charitable Foundation for Women and Children^{^[1]}

_____________

We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

For the purpose of providing safe shelter and health and psychological care to distressed women and children in the Emirate of Dubai,

Do hereby issue this Law.

Article (1)

This Law will be cited as "Law No. (15) of 2007 Establishing the Dubai Charitable Foundation for Women and Children".

Article (2)

The following words and expressions will have the meaning indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:

Emirate:	The Emirate of Dubai.
Government:	The Government of Dubai.
Executive Council:	The Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai.
DCFWC:	The Dubai Charitable Foundation for Women and Children.
Board of Directors:	The board of directors of the DCFWC.
CEO:	The chief executive officer of the DCFWC.

Article (3)

Pursuant to this Law a charitable foundation named the “Dubai Charitable Foundation for Women and Children” is established. The DCFWC will have an independent legal personality and the legal capacity required to undertake all acts and dispositions within the scope of its objectives.

Article (4)

The head office of the DCFWC will be located in Dubai. The DCFWC may establish branches inside and outside of the Emirate.

Article (5)

The DCFWC will provide care services to women and children of all nationalities who reside in the Emirate and face incidents of violence. This includes:

1. providing shelter and health and psychological care services to women and children in accordance with the relevant rules and conditions prescribed by the DCFWC;

2. providing urgent round-the-clock counseling services for victims of incidents of violence and acquainting them with their rights and with means of addressing their problems;

3. rehabilitating and training victims of incidents of violence; integrating them into society to help them become productive members of society; and assisting them in finding a source of income that guarantees them a decent living;

4. providing legal and financial assistance to foreign victims of incidents of violence to help them travel back to their countries if they so wish; and

5. raising awareness of the society on the importance of protecting the rights of women and children.

Article (6)

The DCFWC will be managed by a Board of Directors comprised of a chairman and a number of competent and qualified members, who will be appointed pursuant to a resolution of the Chairman of the Executive Council. Membership of the Board of Directors will be for a renewable period of three (3) years.

Article (7)

The Board of Directors will manage the DCFWC and undertake general supervision of its administrative, technical, and financial affairs. The Board of Directors will issue the resolutions and take the actions it deems appropriate for achieving the goals and objectives of the DCFWC, including:

1. developing the general policy and project plans of the DCFWC;

2. approving the draft budget of the DCFWC;

3. approving the DCFWC organisational structure and the bylaws regulating the administrative, financial, and technical work of the DCFWC; and

4. appointing auditors and determining their remuneration at the beginning of every financial year.

Article (8)

The Board of Directors will be convened at the invitation of its chairman at least once every month. A meeting will be valid if attended by a quorum of two-thirds (⅔) of the members, including the chairman of the Board of Directors. Resolutions of the Board of Directors will be passed by majority vote of attending members, and in the event of a tie the chair of the meeting will have the casting vote. These resolutions will be recorded in minutes signed by the chair of the meeting and attending members.

Article (9)

A CEO will be appointed to the DCFWC by the Board of Directors. The DCFWC will also have an executive body comprised of a number of employees and other workers.

Article (10)

The CEO will have the duties to:

1. implement the general policy set, and the resolutions issued, by the Board of Directors;

2. prepare the annual budget of the DCFWC and present it to the Board of Directors for approval;

3. supervise the work of the executive body of the DCFWC;

4. propose the organisational structure and the financial, administrative, and technical bylaws regulating the work of the DCFWC; and

5. exercise any other powers vested in him by the Board of Directors.

Article (11)

In regulating its accounts and records, the DCFWC will follow the rules and principles of commercial accounting. The financial year of the DCFWC will commence on 1 January and will end on 31 December of each year, except that the first financial year will commence on the day on which this Law comes into force and will end on 31 December of the following year.

Article (12)

The financial resources of the DCFWC will consist of:

1. the support allocated to the DCFWC in the general budget of the Government; and

2. the grants, gifts, and donations received by the DCFWC and accepted by the Board of Directors.

Article (13)

The DCFWC will be exempt from all local taxes and fees.

Article (14)

This Law will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 9 July 2007

Corresponding to 24 Jumada al-Thaniyah 1428 A.H.

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.