ABU DHABI, 28th August, 2024 (WAM) — Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (The Mother of the Nation), Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC), and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, today inaugurated the Emirati Women and Future Building Conference.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in collaboration with the General Women’s Union, is part of the UAE’s celebration of Emirati Women’s Day.
The opening was attended by Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Alia Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; and Afra Al Sabri, Director-General of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said that Emirati Women’s Day celebrates the Mother of the Nation and the remarkable women she continues to inspire, as well as the UAE’s strong commitment to empowering women in all fields, ensuring that they can contribute to the nation’s progress without any barriers.
During the conference, influential Emirati women were honoured, where Sheikh Nahyan presented awards to Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural and Educational Institutions; Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the GWU; and Brigadier Afra Saeed Al Falasi, Commander of Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School.
The conference featured two main sessions. The first discussed “TEmirati Women and Modern Technological Achievements” while the second focused on “The Role of Emirati Women in Enhancing Social Cohesion through the Values of Tolerance and Coexistence”.
Sheikh Nahyan highlighted that this year’s conference celebrates women’s ability to contribute to the UAE’s future, emphasising that women in the UAE are capable of making major strides that serve even the global community. He praised Emirati women for their awareness, intelligence, initiative, determination, and ability to achieve the goals they set for themselves, and their support of their community.
Dr. Amna Al Dhahak said that Emirati Women’s Day celebrates one of the greatest values on which the UAE was founded, the deep appreciation for women’s role in building society and advancing the country’s development. It is a day to reflect on the success stories and struggles of Emirati women since the UAE’s establishment, under the guidance of the UAE leadership that has spared no effort in empowering and supporting them in all fields, she explained.
For her part, Alia Al Mazrouei affirmed that the UAE has presented the world with a unique model for empowering women in political, economic, social, and cultural sectors, enhancing their participation in its development plans, and achieving gender balance across various fields of work. She noted that the UAE ranked seventh globally and maintained its regional position at the top of the 2024 Gender Equality Index, issued by the United Nations Development Programme.
