The Fatima bint Mubarak Volunteering Programme has launched a series of forums to prepare female leaders and promote the culture of volunteer work and giving among women, both locally and internationally.

The programme is in line with the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan that dedicated 2017 as the Year of Giving, and a reflection of the vision of the wise leadership to promote volunteerism. It is also a part of an initiative led by the Zayed Giving Initiative and the General Women’s Union, and under the supervision of the Zayed Academy for Humanitarian Work.

The programme is also a partnership between public and private sector institutions and an exceptional model of joint action in volunteer work and philanthropic giving.

The forums will be held for public and private sector organisations and will include discussions on improving the skill sets of women and building their capacities, to enable them to lead in volunteer and humanitarian work and contribute to the process of social and economic sustainable development.

The forums will focus on the health and educational aspects of raising a generation of female leaders who can find real solutions to social and economic problems and contribute to sustainable development, by adopting creative projects and programmes.

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, launched the Fatima bint Mubarak Volunteering Programme as the first initiative to promote the culture of volunteer work and humanitarian giving among women and children, both locally and internationally, by developing their capacities and empowering them through volunteerism.

The programme will also focus on the four topics of ideas, capabilities, empowerment and giving, which will also see the launch several initiatives to develop the skill sets of women and children and enable them to take part in volunteering, as well an international campaign to invest in their abilities in the sectors of health, education, culture and the environment, and other constructive initiatives on social and economic sustainable development.