Sheikha Fatima Congratulates Women On ‘International Women’s Day’

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 06th Mar, 2019) H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union,GWU, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation,FDF, congratulated Emirati women and all women from around the world on the occasion of the annual "International Women’s Day," which will take place on 8th March, 2019.

Sheikha Fatima stressed that Emirati women have the right to be proud of their achievements, as they have become a key partner in the development process, and a regional model to be followed by women around the world.

She added that Emirati women have received national support, which contributed to their many successes in all areas, as working women account for 66 percent of federal government employees, including 30 percent in leading positions, and the number of Emirati businesswomen accounts for 23,000, who are managing investments amounting to AED40 billion.

The "Mother of the Nation" pointed out that in light of the UAE’s strategy to create an aware community, and the support provided by the government to develop national human resources, Emirati women have achieved considerable political advancement, as there are nine female ministers in the new cabinet, representing 27 percent of the total number of ministers.

There are also seven female ambassadors abroad, as well as eight female members of the Federal National Council, FNC, accounting for 21 percent of its members while the Speaker of the FNC is also a woman, she added while noting that women will soon account for half of the FNC’s seats, as per the directives of the wise leadership.

Sheikha Fatima further added that Emirati women have a considerable presence on Gulf and Arab levels, are leading Arab and Gulf initiatives, and have contributed to many programmes and activities.

She also highlighted the country's support for women and noted that this year, a group of Arab women were trained to conduct peacekeeping operations, through a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, that was signed by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN Women, and the Ministry of Defence.