The UAE's female diplomats in foreign missions have commended 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, as a source of loyalty, dedication and devotion in the service and glory of the nation.

In messages of tribute to the ''Mother of the Nation,'' on the occasion of the third Emirati Women's Day on 28th August, the female ambassadors affirmed that Sheikha Fatima still plays a pivotal role in the nation’s efforts to support and empower Emirati women.

They added that Sheikha Fatima, inspired by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, has been working, since the establishment of the General Women's Union, to empower Emirati women, to assume a constructive and active role in the local community.

They collectively said to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that celebrating Emirati Women's Day is an honour for every Emirati woman and an embodiment of the leadership's conviction on the significant contribution that women can make to the country's development and renaissance.

Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that the presence of Emirati women is being felt in the local community, through their occupying of top leadership and executive positions, participating in the decision-making process and leading the national efforts in areas of youth, happiness, education and tolerance, as well as working at senior jobs in non-conventional sectors, such as science, technology, security and peace.

"Emirati women are also very active globally, as representatives of the country in major international organisations, demonstrating the bright image of the qualified Emirati women and proving their ability and merit to take up responsibilities. They have established themselves as hard workers and kind mothers, who can raise future generations," Nusseibeh stressed.

She emphasised that the progress achieved by Emirati women, in record time, is proof that their hard-won political, economic and social gains had been possible through their efforts, along with the efforts of their male partners, which established the UAE as a unique model for development.

She also recognised the belief of the UAE’s leadership in the vital role of women in the nation’s development, as well as Sheikha Fatima's relentless efforts to advance and empower women, as two major driving forces that enabled women to hold leadership positions in the country.

Nusseibeh said that Emirati women, encouraged by ambition and faith, had advanced to play their natural role in all areas of works, and are particularly actively engaged in political and diplomatic life.

"In this respect, we cannot forget the critical role of men in our success, through their support and partnership with women. The woman has never been a rival to man, on the contrary, she is a partner and a responsible contributor to the nation's progress," she continued.

"Women diplomats could not have performed their job correctly in representing the UAE at international and regional forums had it not been for the support of the country's leadership and the presence of a favourable working environment," she further added.

Recognising the pivotal role of Sheikha Fatima, she said the Mother of the Nation, backed by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, had been working - since the establishment of the General Women's Union - to empower Emirati women so that they can play a constructive and effective role in the local community.

"Her Highness worked towards integration of women in national development plans, provision of legal and social protection against any possible violence or discrimination," she affirmed.

The UAE's top female diplomat indicated that Sheikha Fatima - as leader of the General Women's Union - the largest women movement in the country had paid particular attention to women's education as a fundamental pillar of their development. She worked diligently to raise their awareness about their rights, build their capacities and remove any obstacles hindering their progress.

"Her Highness' wise leadership and contributions to women's advancement and empowerment have enabled the UAE to become an influential actor in the area of women's empowerment internationally," she said.

"Sheikha Fatima has been not only a partner of the founder of the UAE but also a mother, a leader and a role model for all Emirati women," she noted.

She expressed her gratitude to the Mother of the Nation for her tireless efforts towards empowerment and development of the Emirati woman and support for women's issues in general at regional and global scenes.

"What Sheikha Fatima has sown from values of respect and appreciation for women has paid off, and every Emirati woman should preserve these gains and work hard to prove their success and increase their role in national development," said the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations.

Another female diplomat stationed in Europe said Emirati women, thanks to Allah and the support of the country's leadership, had occupied their prominent standing in the community.

"Enabling women to serve their nation, the state has granted women their full social and economic rights through the introduction of legislations that guaranteed their constitutional rights and supported their role as a driving force in the community," said Dr. Hessa Abdullah Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to Spain.

Dr. Al Otaiba hailed the role of Sheikha Fatima in the empowerment of Emirati women, describing it as ''fundamental''.

"By founding the General Women's Union and many organisations and associations for women and children, H.H. Sheikha Fatima has exerted every effort to help women enjoy their rights in full," she added.

"Her Highness has set an example for dedication, hard work, giving, self-denial, tolerance and sacrifice for the progress, glory and safety of our dear homeland. She is the kind mother to all of our Emirati daughters," she indicated.

"Sheikha Fatima has elevated the Emirati women's stature at international organisations, which awarded them the highest honours for distinguished services to women and children across the world," Al Otaiba elaborated.

Hanan Al Alili, UAE Ambassador to Latvia, said that the celebration of Emirati Women's Day is a badge of honour and a tribute to Sheikha Fatima's and the wise leadership's belief in the importance of UAE women's contributions to the development of the nation, and their impact both within and outside of the UAE.

The UAE has garnered many achievements in gender equality and development across political, economic, social, regional and international arenas, she said, adding that the country continues to explore and conduct comprehensive reviews to ensure that the status of women in UAE society remains standing high.

Al Alili explained that Emirati women continue, on a daily basis, to prove their excellence in all responsibilities entrusted to them, highlighting the distinctive contributions made by women to serve their country across various fields better.

She highlighted that the young nation was able to shorten the time of development witnessed by other countries. This development, she explained, was accompanied by a number of qualitative changes for Emirati women, enabling them to fully participate in the development process, a key principle on which UAE society is founded.

This year's theme, 'Women are partners in giving', emphasises the responsibility entailed by Emirati women as strategic partners and pillars in their service to the nation and society, and their contribution to the development of the UAE community and culture, the UAE Ambassador to Latvia, continued.

"I thank H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, for the great support His Highness extended to us, as well as Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who does not hesitate to discuss any means that ensures our growth and mission," said Al Alili.

In turn, Noura Mohammed Abdul Hamid Juma, UAE Ambassador to Finland, affirmed that Emirati women had reached an enviable position in Arab and international societies.

She said that the factors of women's success and contribution to the UAE's diplomatic service is as a result of the opportunities and support of the wise leadership, and the good faith in the role that women can contribute to in the diplomatic arena.

Juma extended her greetings to H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, praising her great role and support for both women in the UAE and around the world.

"Sheikha Fatima's belief in women's abilities and strengths has always aided in producing new areas for women to contribute to, create, and succeed in, creating a sense of joy and accomplishment for them, their families, and society," she added.

For her part, Fatima Khamis Salem Khalfan Al Mazrouei, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, said that Emirati women had reached the highest political, scientific, social and cultural epicentres at a regional and international level.

"The appointment of female Arab Ambassadors of the UAE to foreign countries, a role that I am proud of, has long enthused women's freedoms and gender equality, and is considered as an attestation to the distinction held by Emirati women," Al Mazrouei added.

She stressed that the key factor for the success and excellence witnessed by Emirati women stems from the wise leadership's decision to assign women responsibilities and roles that are of equal importance to their counterparts, explaining that a successful society encompasses all.

"Words cannot describe the tremendous role H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak has played in raising the status of Emirati women. Her Highness is the nation's mother behind all UAE women's achievements, and successes gained," Al Mazrouei concluded.