Women’s role in UAE society unquestionable: Abdullah

DUBAI / WAM

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on Tuesday delivered a keynote during the official opening of the Global Women’s Forum in Dubai, in which he stressed that the UAE, as part of its developmental journey, has regarded women as partners in the service of the homeland and nation-building, stressing that the remarkable achievements of UAE women today in various fields are not the product of chance or luck, but the result of hard work, a clear approach and continuous efforts.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah said that Emirati women are given all the respect, appreciation, and support possible by the UAE, which realises that women have an influential role to play in society, one that cannot be ignored, and that this role could be easily seen through the participation and contribution of women in various fields in the country.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation added that the UAE does not accept the diminution of the role of women, and allows no room for questioning or devaluing its impact. He said that there are many examples for women achievements which the UAE is proud of, citing the important achievements that Emirati women at the political level through the election of Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), becoming the first woman in the GCC to reach this position by direct election.
Sheikh Abdullah went on to speak about his upbringing in an environment that served a great model of partnership between men and women, saying that his father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan used to share all his problems with his mother, 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, consulted, and took her opinion on many issues and concerns regarding the nation and its citizens and find solutions.
Sheikh Abdullah concluded his speech by stressing the importance of providing opportunities for the participation of all members of society, both men and women, young and old, to contribute to the development of the nation. “Shame is not in women not working, but is in devaluing the work of women,” he added.