Diplomats praise Sheikha Fatima’s devotion

Abu Dhabi / WAM

The UAE’s female diplomats in foreign missions have commended HH 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 August 28, 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 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 significant contribution that women can make to 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 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, 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.
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’’.
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 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.
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.
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 HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, praising her great role and support for both women in the UAE and around the world.
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.

‘Emirati woman sets admirable example of innovation, excellence’
Abu Dhabi / WAM

HE Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri Chairman of Abu Dhabi University’s Executive Board asserted the importance of celebrating the “Emirati Women’s Day” as a momentous national occasion during which we proudly commemorate Emirati women’s achievements throughout the years. Today, the Emirati woman sets an admirable example of innovation and excellence locally, regionally and internationally. This occasion also allows us the opportunity to renew our pride in the insightful vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – May Allah rest his soul in peace- who worked tirelessly to ensure a bright future for the nation’s daughters since the latter half of the last century. Sheikh Zayed believed that women are key partners in the advancement of the nation and the achievement of its cultural renaissance.
“These beliefs are the same that our wise leadership continue to implement today represented by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, President of the UAE, and HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as well as their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.
Bin Harmal added: “History will proudly remember and record the leading role that 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- “Mother of the Nation”- has played in supporting and empowering women.”