Amal Al Qubaisi briefs EP on UAE's strategies to empower women

BRUSSELS, 3rd May, 2016 (WAM) – Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), has confirmed the role of the wise leadership in empowering women at the national level, given their significant role as a partner in the country's development, which has contributed to occupying pioneer leadership posts as well as enhancing the overall development of the UAE society. The remarks were made during a seminar organised by the FNC under chairmanship of Dr. Al Qubaisi in co-operation with the UAE Friends Group in the European Parliament (EP). The forum, held at the main headquarters of EP in Brussels, was organised under the title "Women's empowerment in a politically changing world" to highlight the UAE's experience in the field of women's empowerment and to brief MEPs on stages made by Emirati women until they assumed high profile positions at the regional and international levels. The forum was moderated by Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White, President of the EU-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Symposium was also attended by Elmar Brok, Chairman of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and an EP member, and Hamed Salem Al Mazrouei, the UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of the UAE Mission to European Union (EU), and European officials. Dr. A Qubasi briefed the audience on the successful story of the UAE in empowering women and the steps taken to achieve gender equality. She said that the UAE had laid the foundations for the participation of women in the legislative and judicial institutions as a core towards creating an effective and just society. She also highlighted the UAE leadership's vision and role to empower women, noting that the wise leadership, since the founding of the country, had aimed to involve women fully and actively in national work and deemed this as a strategic national work. It also recognised women as key partners in the development of the country and building its present and future. She added that Emirati women have received special attention since the establishment of the UAE, thanks to the wise policy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The FNC Speaker added that President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the leader of the march to empower women and completes the national strategic plan that targets women in the early establishment of the country. She added that the plan focussed on providing public and higher education to them in various specialties, provide a community development pillar and be a co-actor in the process of nation-building. She reiterated that Emirati women have repaid the confidence reposed by the leadership, government and people in various fields and have become active partners in the country's sustainable development process. Dr. Al Qubaisi also familiarised the MEPs with the pioneering and significant role of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, through a number of wise resolutions and directives throughout the country's drive towards development. She also praised Sheikha Fatima’s efforts aimed at ensuring a strong representation of women at all levels and avenues. She said that Sheikha Fatima has also been working to enhance the prestige of Emirati women at various levels locally, regionally and globally by supporting them to accomplish the achievements that would contribute to development and the renaissance of the society. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395295012523.html