Sheikha Fatima: UAE woman merits the trust placed in her capabilities

ABU DHABI / WAM

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, has corroborated the paramount importance of the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in the UAE 2015-2021 which, she affirms, charts a clear-cut pathway for all state departments.
In exclusive statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the occasion of the Emirati Women’s Day marked on August 28 every year, HH Sheikha Fatima said that the Emirati Women’s Day is a landmark occasion that sets a model to be copied for concerted action by the State and Society. “The Emirati woman has been across the years enjoying the full support of the wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates who has provided her with a favourable environment conducive to developing her potential and enabling her to effectively contribute the nation’s development drive and gains.” Addressing the mothers of the UAE martyrs, Sheikha Fatima said, “Be patient and commit yourselves to highest level of patience and know pretty well that you constitute a role model for sacrifice as you have graciously given your sons for the sublime good of the homeland; you’re a model to be copied for all women and mothers.”
“The UAE woman merits the trust placed in her capabilities and is efficiently cleaving her way through challenges and hardships, significantly contributing to the country’s sustainable development process through the senior positions she is now
occupying at the executive, legislative and judicial levels across the nation. Emirati women
have made valuable contributions that are difficult to find in the world’s most advanced countries, setting an enviable role model at the local, regional and international levels.”
“The Emirati women used to have the support of Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was a strong advocate for the colossal role played by women in the society, an approach that has been closely followed by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces along with their brothers the Rulers of the Emirates who left no stones unturned to continue the march of women’s empowerment at the economic and social levels,” said HH Sheikha Fatima.
“The National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women
in UAE is premised to ensuring development of all female cadres across the nation so that they
become capable of making
effective contributions to the country’s economy.”
Continuing to support the Emirati women is a must as they constitute a key for achieving peace and progress, said HH Sheikha Fatima, noting that women are capable of efficiently disseminating the culture of giving and benevolence thanks to their special potential.
Addressing Emirati women, HH Sheikha Fatima said, “You have achieved unexpected progress and you have proved your worth in all areas you have worked at. Don’t stop and continue to forge ahead toward the future as the future abounds in more prospects for growth awaiting you and your sons and daughters whom you have to use all your potential to bring up in the best possible way following in the footsteps of your fathers and ancestors.” HH Sheikha Fatima added that the State has spared no efforts in supporting and standing by Emirati women on all occasions, dedicating a Commemoration Day in recognition of the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of the homeland as well as in appreciation of the hefty responsibilities shouldered by the martyrs’ mothers and wives.
“The Emirati women are now well qualified enough and in a position that enables them to efficiently contribute to the comprehensive developmental drive embraced by the government. However the road is still long and onerous and there are yet many obstacles to stamp out to achieve the aspired goals. For our part, we are summoning up all efforts, inspired by our religion and the guiding principles of our wise leadership as well as our culture and heritage,” said Sheikha Fatima.
“Building up the potential of Emirati women lies at the top of the priorities of UAE Women’s Federation which has made all necessary efforts to qualify Emirati women for proper political representation,” she added, noting that the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in UAE 2015-2021 represents a springboard for all state departments. ”The strategy since its launch two years ago, significantly contributes to charting a strategic pathway for our future through the development of robust partnerships between federal and local entities as well as other regional and international organisations to ensure full empowerment for Emirati women, and enabling them to pioneer and be at the forefront of advanced countries in this field.”
“A lot of goals have been achieved following the launch of this strategy, primarily in areas of education and social empowerment. Economy as well featured high on our set of priorities with women now being able to rely on themselves and provide their families with a decent living standard and sustainable sources of income.” A large number of awareness workshops and seminars has been organised by the Women’s Federation to ensure the wellbeing of women and families, the latest of which was held in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces and focused on helping man, women and families lead a healthy lifestyle, HH Sheikha Fatima added.
“Therefore the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in UAE represents such a quantum leap for the advancement of women, opening up a new era for development and growth characterised with more ambitions and expectations,” noted Sheikh Fatima, concluding that “the strategy has merited the appreciation of a number of women’s organisations across the world and we have requested by several international officials to send them our strategy for their circulation among the members stats of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, known as UN Women.”