Emirati women participated in 3 sovereign authorities H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, has highly lauded the UAE's ranking first globally in the international index of treating women with respect.
Sheikha Fatima said this great international achievement is a precious medal for Emirati women, who have shown efficiency and competencies with all their responsibilities and duties as real partners in all work fields, their social and family responsibilities and their role as educators for the coming generations, their success in keeping up with modern life and openness on cultures of the world as well as adhering to their Arab and Islamic values.
Sheikha Fatima emphasised that this achievement is an important addition for what the UAE women have achieved in the huge march of national civilisation, of hard work and progress until they could occupy the highest posts.
She also added that Emirati women have participated in the three sovereign authorities: 'Parliamentary, Executive and Judicial Authorities' and other pioneering positions related to decision-making, in addition to their positive participation and their prestigious stature on the Arab, regional, and international women's arenas.
Sheikha Fatima pointed out the UAE's election to the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) for a three year term as of 2013, in recognition of the qualitative achievements of the Emirati women in comparison with their counterparts around the world.
In this context, Sheikha Fatima pointed out a number of regional and global plaudits that Emirati women have obtained lately, especially ranking first globally in academic attainment, according to the annual report of the World Economic Forum in 2010.
She added that Emirati women have also achieved international positions in political empowerment and economic participation, adding that Emirati women ranked first in the Global Gender Gap Report.
Regarding the regional arena, in 2012, the Executive Council of Arab Women Organisation elected the UAE to be the Director-General of the organisation for the second time since its inception.
Sheikha Fatima also affirmed that these national and international achievements have not been achieved by chance or surprise, but they are the result of long relentless efforts and the support of the founder of the U.A.E, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the constant support of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates, as well as His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, which was represented in the launching of ambitious initiatives, strategies and programmes in order to empower women to practice all their rights on a par with men in order to discharge their role as effective partners in the sustainable development process.
Sheikha Fatima expressed her satisfaction and pride of the international achievement of Emirati women, which represents an achievement for the Arab nation and the region.
She said, 'I feel satisfaction that Emirati women today are living their best times and I am confident that this achievement represents a strong stimulus for Emirati women to achieve more gains in all fields in order to embody the aspirations of the country to be the best and the first globally."
Source: WAM