The UAE leadership gives great importance to women’s empowerment and encourages them to reach the highest positions in the country, a symposium organized by the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, in collaboration with General Women’s Union, was told here today.

Titled ‘Women’s Empowerment March’, the symposium was held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Higher Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

Empowering women

H.E. Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, General Secretary of the General Women’s Union, said: “Women in the UAE have access to all rights and duties, which has been highlighted in reports of international organizations and global civil society organizations. The UAE’s efforts to empower women have enabled the nation to reach the first position globally in terms of treating women with respect.”

H.E. Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi noted that the UAE’s wise leadership has promoted women’s participation in public life and national development, and offered complete support in various fields. “The participation of women in the political arena as Federal National Council members and ministers, reflects the leadership’s faith in the abilities of the Emirati women and their role as active partners in the nation building process,” H.E. Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi added.

Develop political culture of women

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Dr. Saeed Mohammad Al Ghafli, Assistant Undersecretary for Federal National Council Affairs in the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said: “The ministry is seeking to develop the political culture of women by enhancing their political awareness through seminars and publications in order to enable them to be key participants in the UAE’s political process.”

Highlighting the importance of political participation in the UAE, and the methods of empowering the Emirati women in the UAE’s political system, H.E. Dr. Saeed Al Ghafli said: “Political participation is important to maintain the rights and freedoms of the citizens. It is an effective tool to convey the needs and desires of the citizens to the government and helps raise awareness in all segments in the community.”

H.E. Dr. Saeed Al Ghafli pointed out that in the FNC Elections in 2006, of the 456 candidates who had participated in the elections, 65 were women. Following the election, Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi was elected as the first woman member in the Federal National Council. With nine women members in the 2006 Council – eight appointed by the rulers of the UAE and one elected – women represented 22.5% of the National Council members in 2006.

“In 2011, out of 450 candidates who participated in the FNC Elections, 83 were women. With seven women members in the Council, the current representation of women in the Federal National Council is 17.5%,” said H.E. Dr. Saeed Al Ghafli.

Empowerment March of Emirati women

H.E. Dr. Mohammad Nidal Al Tunaiji, Director General of the Zayed House for Islamic Culture, and member of the Federal National Council delivered a paper, ‘Empowerment March of Emirati women’ highlighting the support of the UAE leadership for Emirati women in all areas of activity.

H.E. Dr Sheikha Isa Al Ari, member of the Federal National Council, submitted a paper, ‘Under the dome of Federal National Council’, which focused on women’s political participation in the light of her own experience as a candidate.