The Women of the UAE are well positioned to assume a bigger role in the country's sustainable development process, according to 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.

In an interview on the Emirati Women's Day, published today in 'Al Ittihad' newspaper, Sheikha Fatima emphasised the achievements made by the UAE women.

"Thanks to the grace of Allah the Almighty and thanks to the unlimited support of our wise leadership, the women of the UAE are moving from success to success in the fields of education, career and family care," she said.

Sheikha Fatima paid tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who laid the foundation for women's empowerment. She also hailed the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in providing all means of support to the women to continue their advancement.

Sheikha Fatima referred to the numerous the initiatives launched by the GWU that helped empower women in healthcare, educational and social fields, including Know Your Rights, Be Ready and First Aid Responder initiatives.

"The UAE women are now well-positioned to assume a larger role in the sustainable development process. Their efforts, their contributions and their successes in taking the lead are evident, " Sheikha Fatima said.

She continued by saying: "We look forward to see more achievements by the UAE women and we will be with them every step of the way, providing support and setting the ground, guided by the teachings of our tolerant Islam, by the principles of our wise leaderships and by values of our heritage."

Sheikha Fatima also highlighted the pioneering role of the GWU in empowering and preparing UAE women to join public life through conferences and workshops and through sharing experiences with fellow Arab countries.

She cited as an example the project to enhance Arab women parliamentarians' role, implemented between 2004-2007 in collaboration with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

On why August 28th was selected to be the Emirati Women's Day, Sheikha Fatima said: The goal was obvious; to celebrate women's achievements in different walks of life and to recognise their endeavours and ambitions to be part of useful activities for their country. We have always sought to offer the opportunity to women to participate in the development process and when they proved their capabilities, we decided to celebrate their perseverance, determination and diligence."

She added that the success made by UAE women resulted in managing to get four ministerial portfolios in the cabinet, in addition to the post of the Speaker of the Federal National Council.

Sheikha Fatima also said the women are now serving in senior posts in judiciary, diplomacy, military and higher education.

Source : WAM