General Women's Union

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Calls for the Launch of a Solidarity Campaign for Gender Equality during the Opening Ceremony of the UN Women–UAE Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Abu Dhabi

April 19, 2018

Abu Dhabi, October 18 (WAM) - Her Highness 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, called for the launch of a solidarity campaign for gender equality, with the participation of GCC officials, university presidents, academics, and private sector entrepreneurs, so as to urge the community to make way for women to assume their natural roles in the work field, and take part in the nation’s development and prosperity.

In a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the UN Women–UAE Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the General Women's Union Headquarters in Abu Dhabi this evening, in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, President of the Federal National Council (FNC), and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, as well as a number of UAE senior officials, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak stated: “We hope that this event will establish a new era of cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC countries in all women’s empowerment areas.” In a statement delivered on the behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak by Her Excellency Reem Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, she explained that the strategic focus of the new Liaison Office will be to develop partnerships, through the provision of advices on strengthening the position of women in the region, as well as supporting the governments of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and enhancing cooperation to ensure that a gender perspective is taken into account during the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Following is the full speech of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak: Esteemed Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Your Excellencies, May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you... I would like to, first, thank you all for attending the opening ceremony of the UN Women–UAE Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Abu Dhabi, which reflects your great interest in this outstanding step that will increase our cooperation with the UN in areas that would benefit women in various fields.

The United Arab Emirates considers, with all interest, the establishment of the new Liaison Office, and looks forward to the evolution of its relations with the United Nations, with respect to women’s empowerment, progress and leadership. We believe that civilized communication between peoples constitutes the way to build a peaceful world, which believes in positive dialogue, tolerance and universal humanitarian values, as well as facilitates the transfer of best practices and experiences, and helps the individuals achieve their ambitions and become more capable of understanding themselves, building their capacities, and achieving their aspirations and ambitions.

Honorable audience, The relations between the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations are witnessing a major development in general, and particularly, in the women’s empowerment area, which is due to the two parties’ useful experiences gained accordingly. In this context, we look forward to sharing the accumulated expertise of UAE women, which will reflect its impact on the status of women in the region. We have pledged before the fifty-eighth session of the CSW, UN, which was held on March 15, 2014, to continue exerting our efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in its multi-national development plans. In this respect, the UAE’s General Women’s Union (GWU) has facilitated the opening of the Liaison Office, in order for Emirati women to benefit from the UN’s issues of focus, and to support useful trends in several areas.

This was preceded by a workshop, held at the GWU Headquarters, during which the opening steps of the Liaison Office, delegation of authorities among employees and identification of objectives to be achieved for the benefit of women, were all presented. The strategic focus of the new Liaison Office will be to develop partnerships, through the provision of advices on strengthening the position of women in the region, as well as supporting the governments of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and enhancing cooperation to ensure that a gender perspective is taken into account during the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ladies and gentlemen, We would like to stress the key role that the UN, and its concerned bodies, play in order to ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality and women empowerment practices at the international and national levels. More than once, we have reiterated the UAE’s support provided to the United Nations, with a view to consider gender equality and women’s rights and empowerment-related issues as an independent objective, which must be integrated into all of the UN’s new development aspects and objectives.

We would also like to call, after the opening of this Liaison Office, to launch a solidarity campaign for gender equality, with the participation of GCC officials, university presidents, academics, and private sector entrepreneurs, so as to urge the community to make way for women to assume their natural roles in the work field, and take part in the nation’s development and prosperity.

We also hope for the event to establish a new era of cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC countries in all women’s empowerment areas. In conclusion, I would like to thank you all for your participation in the opening ceremony of the UN Women–UAE Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as a bridge for communication with women in the GCC countries, marking a new phase of cooperation that will, undoubtedly, benefit all parties, especially Gulf women. May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you... For her part, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, expressed her deep appreciation towards Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for all her support provided to women in all areas and fields.

In a speech delivered at the opening of the UN Women–UAE Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Abu Dhabi, she said: “The United Nations is counting heavily on supporting women and ensuring their participation in all fields, both within the UAE and in the region.” “We look forward to building strong partnerships within the region.

We greatly appreciate the support of the UAE for this, and the increased capacity to work closely with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries,” she added. “This will be essential in making women’s empowerment a top priority in the region, while paying close attention to women graduating from universities, securing a meaningful future life for them, and ensuring their involvement in their homeland’s development and prosperity,” she affirmed. Afterwards, the audience watched a film about the General Women's Union, and the keenness and interest of the UAE wise leadership in women, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, as well as in all available opportunities for their advancement and provision of rights, and the great role played by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in supporting the activities of UAE women carried out in all fields.

Sheikha Fatima, accompanied by the International Official, cut the traditional ribbon, marking the opening of the UN Women–UAE Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the GWU Headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women presented a shield of appreciation to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, in appreciation and gratitude for all her efforts exerted in supporting and enabling women to achieve their hopes and aspirations to participate in the development and prosperity of their homeland.

The opening ceremony was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, as well as Her Highness Sheikha Al Yazia bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, along with Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Sheikha bint Sorour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Fatima bint Sorour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, and a number of sheikhas, women ministers, members of the Federal National Council, leaders, women’s associations, judges, prosecutors and businesswomen.

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Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Wins the ITU’s Personal Leadership Award

December 06, 2016

Abu Dhabi - Her Highness 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, received the 2016 Personal Leadership Award for achieving gender equality in the telecommunication and information technology field on a par with the global level, by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in recognition of Her Highness’ role in achieving gender equality in the telecommunication and information technology industry.

On behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, His Highness Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Board of Trustees of Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, received the award from Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of ITU, during a ceremony held today at the GWU Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Noura Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GWU, and Reem Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and childhood. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in recognition for all her efforts exerted in achieving gender equality in the telecommunication and information technology field worldwide.

In a speech delivered on behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Her Excellency Reem Abdullah Al-Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood said, “We know that this award came from a supreme global communication authority.

The ITU and UN Women jointly organized this annual event, honoring individuals or organizations, committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women through ICTs.” “We are pleased to have been chosen to receive this valuable, international award, which we regard as a medal for women in the United Arab Emirates, embodying the prestigious position occupied by Emirati women at the regional and international levels, as well as the leadership and excellence achieved, which have drawn the attention of the world in all fields, thanks to the support of the UAE wise leadership that empowered women to harness all opportunities and play a greater role in the development process,” she explained.

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak stressed that this award constitutes a strong incentive for the UAE national women to innovate and score greater achievements, not only in the technology industry, but in all fields as well. "This valuable award reflects your appreciation for all our efforts exerted in supporting advanced programs in the modern telecommunications applications field," she concluded.

The Secretary-General of ITU, Houlin Zhao, also affirmed that Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak deserves this award, and that she is a pioneer in women’s empowerment in the UAE, whose efforts and activities to empower women in the area of modern technology are appreciated. He explained that the award focuses on the application of technology to empower and encourage women to work in the technology sector, as well as development of the information and communication technology management, including the concept of gender equality and ICT-related public policies.

In this respect, the gender equality awards, and their dissemination through technology, play an important role in highlighting inspiring projects, individuals and initiatives, as well as help ensuring that role models, good ideas, programs, and projects, and best practices could be presented and promoted at the global level. His Highness Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Houlin Zhao, accompanied by Her Excellency Noura Al Suwaidi and Her Excellency Reem Al Falasi, toured the GWU’s Jawhara Hall that showcases hundreds of awards won by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and the GWU, as well as the Centre for Heritage and Environmental Industries.

For her part, Director-General of the General Women's Union, Noura Al Suwaidi, expressed her pride with respect to the award won by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, stressing that it was received after exerting, since the beginning of the seventies, great efforts to provide UAE women with available opportunities.

In a statement, issued on this occasion, she said that Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak has worked to unify all women’s efforts within one system under one umbrella, the General Women's Union, which was established on August 28, 1975 to serve as the official representative of women. This event was attended by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was keen to remove all obstacles that hindered women's progress and recognition of their rights.

Al Suwaidi explained that the UAE wise leadership, under His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as Their Highnesses members of the Federal Supreme Council and rulers of the UAE, has followed the same approach in supporting and providing women with available opportunities in all fields.

In this respect, Al Suwaidi affirmed, “Winning this award constitutes a pride for every UAE woman,” noting that the General Women's Union has worked under the guidance and great support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to empower women in the technology industry, to become an active member, along with men, in the nation’s development process. She pointed out that the General Women's Union launched the Productive Families Project, a commercial economic project that uses the concept of smart shopping through a dedicated application to empower Emirati families in the economic sector, and promote products to benefit both women and their families and society so as to improve their economic and social status by creating shopping opportunities. Through the use of technology, the application facilitates the community's access to productive families, by creating an integrated environment that combines marketers, productive families and buyers.

In this respect, the Project aims at encouraging productive families to contribute to achieving leadership in business management, by creating investment opportunities for women and generating financial returns, in addition to instilling a culture of entrepreneurship to ensure the generation of pioneering, creative, responsible and ambitious people, thus enhancing the UAE’s access to advanced positioning in the ease of business, global competitiveness, innovation and development indicators.

Al Suwaidi confirmed that, thanks to the continuous and unlimited support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Emirati women have managed to achieve the highest social and economic indicators, compared to other women in other countries, as well as to occupy the highest positions and take part in the decision-making process, while maintaining the national identity and culture. Through this distinction, women pursue their journey in all social work aspects.

 

In this respect, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s role is deemed prominent in guiding women to prove their presence and existence, and to take advantage of all available opportunities to participate in sustainable development efforts, alongside men. She explained that UAE women now occupy the highest positions in all fields, and contribute effectively to the development and modernization process, through their participation in the executive, legislative, judicial authorities, as well as other various decision-making leadership positions in the UAE.

Al Suwaidi also noted that the General Women's Union journey is filled with activities and programs, aimed at building the capacity of women in the technology field. In this respect, the GWU’s inauguration of the Women and Technology Project in November 2006 aims at empowering women in the information technology industry.

 

The Women and Technology Project has been working on developing women's capacities, as well as training them to deal with the information revolution on a personal, family or professional level. In this respect, the program provided five key activities for participants and partner institutions, namely professional development training, business planning for sustainability, training on information technology through Microsoft’s “Limitless Ambitions”, as well as the women's professional development network, and professional exchange and capacity building.

The General Women's Union also launched the Digital Child Initiative, which aims at building the capacity of female children aged between 7 and 10 years during school leave, enabling them to acquire knowledge, encourage innovation, research and development, and connect with modern technologies. The Initiative seeks to equip students with computer skills, educate parents about the dangers of the Internet, and focus on the development of problem solving, logic, creativity and programming skills.

It also targets females, contributes to the dissemination of the e-culture, highlights the importance of the role of technology in the future industry, and implies many events, including awareness campaigns, summer programs, lectures, forums and training workshops. For his part, His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), expressed his pride in Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak's award received, and said, “it is a great honor for the ITU to take this step, which constitutes a tribute to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s efforts to support UAE women. We, in the UAE, consider that our national march is one in which men and women participated side by side.

 

This has been demonstrated since the establishment of our glorious union. The founder of our union and the builder of our renaissance, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, expressed the same in his first speech, delivered after the Federation's declaration. Hence, the UAE literature continues to focus on the importance of the role of women, which is reflected in the UAE Vision 2021.” Al Mansoori said that, since the establishment of the UAE in 1971, it has relied on its men and women.

It is proud today to have become a regional and global leader in gender equality, especially in education, according to successive reports of the World Economic Forum. In this respect, a recent WEF report, which was issued during the current year, 2016, pointed to a positive paradox regarding the status of UAE women in the equation of the labor market, where their share of the labor market accounts for 66%.

He also noted that the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) works on the issuance of ICT sector regulations, in order to strengthen the knowledge-based national economy, given the fact that the development of the sector directly supports the process of social and economic growth, in line with the UAE Vision 2021. In this respect, it is worth mentioning that TRA provides support to the UAE’s ICT sector, by organizing the competitive process, protecting the interests of subscribers in telecommunications services, enhancing the efficiency of e-services, promoting investment and innovation in this vital sector, and providing an integrated working system to ensure the development of human capital.

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Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Receives the “Pink Caravan” in Abu Dhabi

March 16, 2016

Abu Dhabi - Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, received on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, the sixth edition of the “Pink Caravan”, which is embarking on a 10-day journey across the UAE.

This event constituted part of the third edition of the Diplomatic Literary Salon, which received the “Pink Caravan Ride”, a pan-UAE cancer awareness initiative of the Friends of Cancer Patients, on its sixth edition’s ninth day to promote awareness of breast cancer, as well as enhance the importance of early detection, mammography examinations and clinical screening, performed by the Pink Caravan’s specialized medical staff for free and in cooperation with the Princess Grace Hospital in London, United Kingdom.

Through this initiative, the Pink Caravan invites men and women from all over the UAE to take advantage of the free, integrated medical services offered by its affiliated clinics, and to contribute to the fight against breast cancer, by encouraging family and friends to conduct required examinations. In this respect, medical studies indicate that 98 percent of cases, in which breast cancer was detected during its early stages, are completely treated and cured

This year’s Pink Caravan ride was launched on March 7, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and follow-up of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Founder and Royal Patron of the Friends of Cancer Patients Society, and implemented under the slogan “Soldiers of Pink Hope”.

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