Statement of Sheikha Fatima

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, has issued the following statement on the occasion of the UAE's 43rd National Day anniversary: "The UAE marks on 2nd December, 2014, the 43rd National Day anniversary. Throughout 43 years of sincere national work, the Union has scored high records of comprehensive development in all fields. The UAE has been ranked in top positions, according to reports released by regional and international organisations. It has also been classified one of the top countries in global competitive indices, as well as in surveys of the happiest populations, in terms of sustainable development, infrastructure, education, health, housing, social services and in other categories.
On this day, we recall with pride the founding fathers who established the foundations of the Union, among others the late Sheikh bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who led the Union through his foresighted vision to its comprehensive development. His legacy is being followed up and sustained by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Supreme Council Members, Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates, His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the Crown Princes.
Given the UAE leaders' perseverance, the country today is among the top 10 world countries, in the light of United Nations organisations' development reports.
Since its inception, the UAE has focussed its interest on the empowerment of women through the provision of assistance in development. The late Sheikh Zayed believed in the education of women on equal footing with men, in regards to rights and duties. This approach helped Emirati women to occupy top positions in all fields. The UAE enacted laws to ensure the right of work, social security, ownership, business and fund management, education, and health, on equal footing with men.
Women in the UAE also attained many remarkable achievements within the framework of political empowerment programmes launched by the UAE President. Women now occupy top positions in the three sovereign authorities: executive, judiciary and legislative authorities, as well as their active participation at Arab, regional and international women's forums. Further, Emirati women occupy four ministerial posts in the Cabinet, and eight members in the Federal National Council. In the diplomatic field, Emirati woman occupies the post of UAE Permanent Representative to the UN, while five Emirati women represent the country abroad as ambassadors. Also, there are 148 Emirati women diplomats working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Women in the UAE also work in the judiciary, public prosecution, civil aviation, air defence, as well as different departments at the Ministry of Interior.
Regarding business, about 21,324 Emirati businesswomen have invested over AED40 billion in local and international markets.
The General Women Union (GWU), which was established on 28th August 1975, had scored qualitative achievements at the local and international level. Therefore, we decided to make 28th August each year as 'Emirati Women's Day' to celebrate the achievements of women in the UAE, led by its wise leadership.
I seized this opportunity to congratulate the UAE leadership and people on this dear occasion."
Source: WAM