UAE women have made significant achievements

On the eve of International Women's Day, 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, highlighted UAE women's achievements over the past four and a half decades.

In a speech addressing the occasion, which falls on 8th March each year, H.H. Sheikha Fatima attributes the stunning progress of Emirati women to the sincere efforts of the country's founder and builder of its cultural renaissance, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who avidly supported women's progress. Sheikha Fatima quoted the late Sheikh Zayed, as once saying, "Woman is half of society; any country which pursues development should not leave her in poverty or illiteracy. I am on the woman's side; I always say this in order to uphold her right to work and participate in the building process of her country."

Her Highness went on to say, "The late Sheikh Zayed made every possible effort to support the talents of Emirati women and to develop social conditions which encourage women's advancement to fully participate in public life."

The Mother of the Emirates also highlighted the efforts of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who have continued to pave the way for women’s empowerment by offering education, employment, and training opportunities, and by introducing forward-thinking and progressive laws and legislation.

On the occasion of the global event, Sheikh Fatima encouraged women to continue working and attaining their ambitions in both the public and private sector, emphasising that "women are able to achieve significant success in all fields." Noting the UAE's booming economy, Sheikha Fatima drew attention to Emirati women's increased participation due to the launch of various measures aimed to promote the role of businesswomen.

Sheikha Fatima also advocated universal education for all and encouraged Emirati women to further engage in the sciences and technology to promote innovation and creativity whilst maintaining their national identity.

She noted that UAE women constitute 66 percent of public sector employees, and have reached the highest positions, including assuming the presidency of the UAE Federal National Council, attaining FNC membership, and engaging in global diplomacy, along with advancing their roles in various sectors including medicine, engineering, the arts and sciences.

Sheikha Fatima added that Emirati women account for about 70 percent of students in government tertiary-level institutions, saying, "The Emirates is one of the few countries in the world where the literacy rate of women is higher than that of men."

She also expressed her concerns over the tragic conditions and the gross violations of human rights being committed against women in regions stricken with disasters and conflicts. Her Highness called for concerted efforts to improve humanitarian conditions and protection for women, and confirmed the UAE's commitment to support the empowerment of women on both the regional and global levels.

"I look forward to the day when we can celebrate International Women's Day when all forms of discrimination and violence against women have been eliminated," Sheikha Fatima concluded.