H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, has congratulated Emirati women during this year’s annual celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, under the slogan, Women are Partners in Giving', in appreciation of their giving and the role played by women in the community, along with their contribution to the UAE’s journey of development.

She urged women to continue their journey of education and actively work in all sectors, as well as in raising their children.

In her speech marking the occasion, Sheikha Fatima stressed that the wise leadership of the UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, along with Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates, who deserve appreciation and praise, as they have supported Emirati women and adopted the values of giving that were promoted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who encouraged and empowered women by providing them with education and work opportunities, leading them to occupy the highest educational and professional positions.

She added that this honouring of Emirati women on their annual celebration is primarily directed to the mothers and wives of martyrs and their families, as they have performed the ultimate sacrifice of giving by losing their precious sons and husbands in defence of the nation.

Her Highness stressed that celebrating this year’s Emirati Women’s Day is an honest expression of the appreciation of the wise leadership for women, as well as their role in the community and their endless giving towards their families, community and the nation, in all areas of education and work.

She highlighted the fact that women had proven their ability to become involved with the country’s various initiatives and assist all vulnerable categories in the community, to ensure the success of the Year of Giving initiative that was launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2017.

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak added that the UAE’s giving is endless and is not only limited to men, but it also includes women and all other members of the community, and this will continue as long as the wise leadership and the nation’s citizens have thoroughly learnt the lessons of humanity taught by the late Sheikh Zayed on humanitarian action.

The "Mother of the UAE" noted that Emirati women have a great responsibility to pay back the nation and participate in the ongoing work to promote the values of volunteering and social responsibility, and to strengthen the cohesion of the community as a road map for the country’s journey of giving, based on supporting humanity and establishing the values of co-existence and tolerance.

Sheikha Fatima confirmed the readiness of Emirati women to take part in charitable works using their talents and capabilities as mothers, wives and employees while stressing that they have readily performed their duties towards their children and families, who are the cornerstones of the community.

The Mother of the UAE said that giving and volunteerism represents a slogan adopted by Emirati women, through their efforts towards themselves and their families, as well as their success in all areas of education and work.

She added that this declaration strengthens the social responsibility of all sectors of the community, to make women a strategic partner and a cornerstone of community service and the nation. It will also strengthen their contribution to the country’s journey of overall development, and will enable them to provide real services to enhance the development of the UAE community, and promote the culture of giving, she added.

She explained that the national initiatives in the field of charity work had become an essential component of the UAE’s identity, and the country has a vital role in improving living conditions and protecting human dignity around the world while strengthening its position among the world’s leading donor nations.

At the end of her speech, she urged all UAE nationals to adopt the slogan of this year’s Emirati Women’s Day celebrations, as an initiative of the Year of Giving.