Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs workshop highlights UAE progress in empowerment

Under its strategic goals to enhance the culture of political participation, the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, in collaboration with General Women's Union and the support of the Fujairah Amiri Diwan, organised a symposium under the title 'Young Member of Parliament: Supportive leadership, active participation', for girl students of Ajman University of Science and Technology in Fujairah.

Speaking on the occasion, Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said: "The UAE's wise leadership has always encouraged Emirati women to participate effectively in the political process, and enabled them to contribute to sustainable development in all fields by offering the empowerment tools to take them to higher level positions."

"The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs is working to promote political culture among women through leading initiatives and partnerships. The partnership with the General Women's Union is one of the main steps that have helped raise awareness on empowerment of women, achieved through the unlimited support of the wise leadership to encourage women to serve their country," Lootah said.

Speaking on the topic, 'FNC and the Empowerment March', Colonel Dr. Ahmad Ali Alkhzimi, Director of the Officers' Training Institute at the Ministry of Interior, said: "Political participation is a major characteristic of the UAE society. The UAE Constitution has supported the political development process through the establishment of the Federal National Council to represent the citizens and transfer their problems and issues to the government."

During the lecture, Colonel Dr. Ahmad Ali Alkhzimi highlighted the key role of the FNC in ensuring a representation for UAE citizens in the administrative process, and meeting their needs in cooperation with the government.

He described the FNC elections as vital steps towards strengthening the political and social values in the UAE, and establishing active political participation and decisions-making by citizens. "The FNC Elections in 2006, 2011 and 2015 have revealed the political awareness and positive results of the electoral process in the society," added Dr. Alkhzimi.

The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs is working on implementing the initiatives to promote a culture of political participation among all segments of the society through various activities such as lectures, workshops, awareness bulletins, 'Political Participation' magazine, as well as electronic initiatives like the electronic empowerment bulletins and interactive website