The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs organized a lecture at Higher Colleges of Technology for Girls in Fujairah on the role of the Ministry and the Federal National Council in enhancing political participation and raising awareness about the nature of parliamentary process in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said, “It is one of the priorities of the Ministry to adopt measures aimed at increasing political awareness among the UAE’s women in order to empower them to participate effectively in nation building activities and decision making process. Today women in the UAE have already managed to attain top managerial positions as well as ministerial portfolios.”

“Promoting political awareness in the community is an important exercise in the efforts to involve citizens in the country’s political process. This can only be achieved with the significant efforts of all state institutions,” said H.E. Lootah.

H.E. Dr. Saeed Mohammad Al Ghafli, Assistant Undersecretary for Federal National Council Affairs in the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, explained during the lecture the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to launch a programme to empower the Federal National Council. He also explained the country’s electoral process which started in 2006 until the last elections held in 2011.

H.E. Al Ghafli pointed out that the Ministry works to strengthen parliamentary culture in the society by coordinating the relationship between the Government and the Federal National Council, and highlighted its role in drafting legislation related to the Federal National Council and overseeing the media affairs associated with the parliamentary process.

Stating that the Ministry works to educate women about their rights and duties as enshrined in the UAE Constitution, H.E. Al Ghafli said, “The Ministry is keen to implement initiatives and activities that help to develop political awareness among various community groups, particularly among women, through workshops, lectures and publications.”