The Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP) handed over the award to Dr Amal al-Qubais The UAE has emerged winner of the 'WIP Awards for Closing the Gender Gap', in the category 'Achievements In Closing The Gender Gap In The Arab World", in recognition of its efforts to advance women and promote gender equality .
The Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP) handed over the award to Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, First Deputy Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), at a ceremony during the 2013 Annual Summit of the 'Women in Parliaments Global Forum' which took place between 27th-29th November at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, under the theme 'The Spirit of Women in Parliaments: Advancing Society.' In her comments following the award ceremony, Al Qubaisi said the award is a source of pride for all Emiratis as it represents the best recognition of the efforts being made by the UAE to advance women and bolster their contribution to development under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and by H.H Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General Women's Union (GWU), Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
UAE senior officials and FNC members, ambassadors attended the WIP Award ceremony.
Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP) is an independent, Zurich-based and not-for-profit international and non-partisan foundation established with the purpose of advancing society by building a network between women in parliaments.
WIP members are Members of Parliaments at national level, including those directly elected to the European Parliament.
The Women in Parliaments Global Forum says that, based on its belief that best practice examples are most convincing, and can encourage others, it presented the series of Annual WIP Awards to countries outperforming on issues, which are at the core of WIP.
The WIP Award for Closing the Gender Gap in the category 'Women in Parliaments' is based on data by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, provided by National Parliaments and listing 188 countries.
The WIP Awards in all other categories are based on the rankings of the World economic forum's "Global Gender Gap Report".
The Global Gender Gap Index introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006, is a framework for capturing the magnitude and scope of gender-based disparities and tracking their progress.
Source: WAM