The Women's Forum for the Economy and Society has selected Dubai to host the first Women's Forum Dubai in 2016.
This will be the first time in history the Women's Forum will hold a major event in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and Women's Forum for the Economy and Society, organisers of the Women's Forum, at the on-going 10th Forum Meeting in Deauville, France. The signing ceremony was attended by Philippe Augier, Mayor of Deauville, France and Hamad Obaid Al Za'abi, Charge d'Affaires of the U.A.E. Embassy in Paris.
DWE has been named the co-organiser of Women's Forum Dubai 2016.
The Women's Forum for the Economy and Society is the world's largest gathering of leaders - women and men - focused on the advancement of women and the strengthening the influence of women in business, the government, academic circles, society and culture, sustainability and environment throughout the world.
Wife of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum President of Dubai Women Establishment, dedicated this achievement to the U.A.E.'s leadership and people. She asserted that any attainment achieved in the U.A.E. is a motive for more efforts to recognise the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
'The approach set by U.A.E. Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in celebrating excellence and encouraging innovation is the source of inspiration for us to pursue new development avenues,' she said.
Sheikha Manal praised the U.A.E. leadership's support for Emirati women as a key driver of their empowerment towards enhancing their contribution to the society. She also commended the unlimited care and support given to women by Mother of the Nation HH Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, and Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation.
The President of Dubai Women Establishment commended the efforts of the dedicated team that worked towards accomplishing this remarkable achievement, demonstrating Emirati woman's ability to stand for challenges and fully engage in serving the nation.
Sheikha Manal stated that choosing Dubai to host this global event that gathers world-class elites is a great accomplishment and reflects international recognition and trust in U.A.E.'s ability to contribute to women's empowerment efforts worldwide. She also stressed that the U.A.E. is committed to facilitating constructive global dialogue to identify common challenges and opportunities, towards a better future not only for the region but the whole humanity.
'We look forward to welcoming the Women's Forum in 2016 in Dubai," she said in a statement issued on her behalf. "With more than 200 nationalities living and working in peace, safety and harmony and creating wealth, Dubai is the world's gateway to the region of two billion people. With global delegates gathering in our scintillating city to discuss how women can shape the future, we are confident the event will mark a turning point in the history of women empowerment in not only the Arab World - but across the globe," she added.
'Dubai is a leader in women empowerment in the region. Almost half of its workforce is made up of women and almost 75% of women have secondary education qualifications or higher', said Mona Al Marri, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office and Chairperson of the Board of Dubai Women Establishment. She was addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the Women's Forum Global Meeting in Deauville.
'Our country has a 17.5 per cent participation of women in Parliament and four women in its 24-member Cabinet, she added.
Addressing a large gathering of representatives of international media, Al Marri said under the guidance of the U.A.E. leadership, the Emirati community has consistently placed strong emphasis on development of women as precious human capital and reliable future leaders. "The Dubai Women Establishment has an integral role in fulfilling this vision." Track Record She pointed out that the U.A.E. is ranked first in the Arab region in the Global Gender Gap Report 2013. It is also first in closing the Gender Gap in Education and first in Wage Equality for Similar Work related to economic participation.
The country is ranked 1st out of 132 countries for "Women Treated with Respect" - as published in the Social Progress Index 2014. The U.A.E. came in at 38th among 187 countries in the UNDP Gender-related Development Index for 2011.
In the U.A.E., more than 70% of all university graduates are female Emiratis. Women make up 66 per cent of Government staff and have 30% of all decision-making positions within the government sector.
The right of U.A.E. women to take part in the development of all areas of their society is enshrined in the U.A.E. Constitution. It states that social justice should apply to all and that, before the law, women are equal to men. They enjoy the same legal status, claim to titles and access to education. They have the right to practice the profession of their choice.
Exchange of Ideas "Dubai's hosting of the first-ever Women's Forum Meeting in the Arab World underlines the U.A.E.'s continuing strategy towards women empowerment and its efforts to drive and facilitate global dialogue to maximise women`s involvement in society and increase their contribution towards development on an equal basis with men," said Al Marri.
"The flow of enlightened ideas and exchange of best experiences will definitely catalyse effective solutions to overcome hurdles that may obstruct the development of women in our region," she added.
"I believe that the Women's Forum in Dubai will deliver a powerful platform for new perspectives to key issues in our present and our future through discussions with relevant experts and policy-makers coming from all over the world," Al Marri stated.
She pointed out that the Women's Forum Meeting has a strong and forceful impact on the country where it is held, on the surrounding region and its reverberations are felt across the globe.
"We are committed to make the Women's Meeting a remarkable event in the Forum's history. With an excellent record in hosting mega international conferences and exhibitions, Dubai will ensure all elements are in place to facilitate fruitful discussions and enable participants to explore new avenues towards achieving our common goals and objectives," said the Chair of the DWE Board.
The Women's Forum Global Meeting in Deauville, France, attracts a remarkably large participation from around the globe. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Global Meeting in Deauville is being attended by 2000 delegates representing 70 countries and 600 organisations worldwide.
Source: WAM