All Dubai government departments employing a significant number of female employees with young children will have to offer day care service under a government programme to be enforced by the end of April, Gulf News has learned.

Spearheaded by the president of the Dubai Women's Establishment, Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the programme has been approved by the Executive Council, said Mona Al Merri, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the Dubai Women's Establishment.

"We conducted a survey and found that 30 per cent of women quit their jobs when they have children because they don't have access to child care centres," she said, adding that this move will ensure that female talent is not lost in government departments.

The Executive Council will officially announce the required measures in April and it will be enforced by the end of the month, said Mona.

"We understand that there might be problems with space and that it may take some time".

The day care centres will be designed to cater to children up to the age of three, and will also have an educational function, like pre-schools, she added, noting that departments will be given incentives to establish the centres by the government in the future.