Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and CEO of Kalimat Group, has commended the UAE leadership's support for women and praised initiatives by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, to empower Emirati women and enhance their participation in public life.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi made these remarks during her participation in 16th Global Edition of the WIL Economic Forum, which took place in Dubai on the 19th and 20th of November. Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy, this significant event focused on making change happen by uniting 300 global influential business and thought leaders to discuss key issues on women in leadership.
Addressing the forum attendees, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi considered herself to be extremely fortunate to be a witness to such progress in women leadership across all walks of life, thanks to the support of prudent leadership, particularly the support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, mother of the nation, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Chairwoman of General Women’s Union and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, remarking that a lot has been achieved for Emirati women empowerment and that considerable ground has been covered. She went on to emphasise however, that it was also evident that a lot remains to be achieved in creating the right conditions for women to thrive in business, in many parts of the world.
She went on to encourage the forum attendees to set actionable goals to facilitate the empowerment of women, stating, “Our purpose here is to instil trust and self-empowerment. Today, as I stand before you, allow me to call on each one of you to take on a pledge that each one of us cascade our energies, our inspirations, our resilience, our inner power to influence at least three women every month. I am confident that setting a measurable objective for ourselves will have a positive influence across the societies and communities we work with.”  
On the side line of the forum, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi met with philanthropist and women’s empowerment champion Cherrie Blair, wife of Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Head of the Cherrie Blair Foundation, and discussed some issues related to women empowerment in the region and entire world.