In a session organized by the National Elections Committee in cooperation with the Dubai Women's Establishment
Manal bint Mohammed invites the girls of the Emirates to run for the elections of the Federal National Council
Her Highness affirms that the UAE spares no effort in creating an environment that supports the empowerment of women
Dr.. Anwar Gargash: Emirati women were the voice of the family and society under the dome of the National Council
Dr.. Anwar Gargash: Women are a major focus in the success of the electoral process and their political awareness is a shared responsibility
Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, President of the Emirates Council for Gender Balance, and President of the Dubai Women's Foundation, confirmed that the active participation of Emirati girls in the upcoming Federal National Council elections is a national duty for every woman. An Emirati woman seeking to contribute positively to the renaissance of her country.
Her Highness added that the successive achievements and successes of Emirati women were achieved thanks to the unlimited support of our wise leadership, which has worked for a long time to empower women, create a supportive climate for them, and provide all the ingredients that enable them to play their important role in the renaissance of the nation alongside men, referring to the efforts of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima. Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, in empowering Emirati women and strengthening their role in society.
The President of the Dubai Women's Establishment expressed her thanks to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, for his wise guidance and vision, which contributed to Emirati women achieving unprecedented achievements in recent times, including holding ministerial portfolios, membership of the Federal National Council, and work in the diplomatic and judicial corps.
Her Highness expressed her great gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who has repeatedly affirmed that the UAE spares no effort in creating a supportive environment for women and providing all the ingredients that enable them to play their important role in the renaissance of the nation alongside men. Being partners in achieving his achievements and consolidating the foundations of his progress.
Regarding the role of the Federal National Council in women's issues, Her Highness added: "During its history full of achievements, the Federal National Council attaches special importance to women's empowerment issues, with the aim of playing its role in community service, and increasing its presence in various work sectors, as well as legislative and executive institutions and decision-making positions. Now we all hope that the percentage of women's participation will increase during the current legislative session, which will support their role as an active partner in political life."
Her Highness called on the women and girls of the Emirates to run for the elections of the Federal National Council for the interest of the country and its elevation, and she said: "The participation of Emirati women during their membership in the Federal National Council came in a distinguished way, as they obtained the position of first vice-president of the Council and chaired a number of permanent and temporary committees and had an influential role Through her participation in external conferences at the regional and international levels, therefore, we must continue efforts aimed at raising the percentage of women in the Federal National Council, which enhances their political participation and opens broader horizons for them. Reducing the gap in the political and economic participation of Emirati women.
Her Highness noted that the efforts made by the country during the past period to achieve gender balance have borne fruit, as the UAE ranked first in the world in reducing the gender gap in educational attainment at university levels, which indicates the existence of almost complete equality between the two sexes in the UAE in terms of educational attainment. and standard of health care.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Chairman of the National Elections Committee, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Dubai Women Establishment, represented by its President, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for the remarkable efforts it makes. By promoting the active participation of Emirati women in the development process in various fields.
His Excellency stressed that Emirati women played a major role in the success of the electoral process in the Federal National Council elections, and that raising their political awareness, enabling them to play leadership roles, and encouraging them to exercise their right to participate in the electoral process is a common responsibility.
His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash pointed out during the session that the United Arab Emirates paved the way for the empowerment of Emirati women, pointing out that the UAE began from an early age to devote the approach of involving women in the decision-making process, which contributed to Emirati women obtaining many One of the advanced positions in many results of reports and studies, the latest of which was that Emirati women ranked first in empowering women as leaders and parliamentarians, according to the 2014 annual report of the Center for Studies on Women’s Participation of the Arab Women Foundation.
His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash explained that the existence of an electoral culture based on the necessity of women's participation in electing and selecting individuals who express the concerns of citizens achieves benefit for the country and the citizen and is an important step to instill a culture of political development among members of society. His Excellency noted that Emirati women are one of the pillars of the development witnessed by the UAE, so their participation in the elections is a major tributary to enhance the approach to political participation adopted by the wise leadership.
His Excellency Dr. Anwar Gargash indicated that Emirati women, through their membership in the Federal National Council, were the voice of the family and society under the dome of the Council, and an important factor in the formulation and discussion of legislation and laws affecting all members of Emirati society, such as the Child Law, which was discussed and approved by the Council in the fifteenth legislative term.
His Excellency the Minister, Dr. Anwar Gargash, praised the effective activity of the Dubai Women's Establishment as one of the most important civil society institutions specialized in the affairs of the women's sector in the country, which works to provide services that meet the needs of women with the aim of activating their role on the personal and professional levels.
For her part, Shamsa Saleh, Executive Director of the Dubai Women Establishment, confirmed during her welcome speech at the session that raising the rate of women's political participation and representation in the Federal National Council is one of the strategic goals of the Dubai Women Establishment to contribute to strengthening their role in decision-making centers, and she also expressed her pride with confidence. Wise leadership, its unlimited support for women, and its constant keenness to obtain equal opportunities with men in leadership positions, which in turn is reflected positively in the development process.
The session witnessed a remarkable turnout and interaction, in the presence of women leaders in the government and private sectors and a number of political, diplomatic and economic figures, most notably His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, Mohammed Juma Al Suwaidi, member of the Electoral Commission in Dubai - representative of the private sector, the General Secretariat - The Supreme Committee for Legislation, Nabila Makram, Minister of Negotiations, Deputy Consul General, the Egyptian Consulate in the Emirates, His Excellency Engineer Mahmoud Al Bastaki, CEO, Dubai Trade Corporation, His Excellency Jamal Al Sharif, Director General of Dubai Studio City and Chairman of the Dubai Committee for Television and Film Production, and members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation Dubai for Women Lubna Qassem, Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Emirates NBD Bank, and Mona Bousmara, Director of the Dubai Press Club and Vice President of the Emirates Journalists Association.
With the approaching date of receiving candidacy applications to contest the elections, the National Elections Committee seeks to provide all capabilities that enable citizens to actively participate in the electoral process, as the committee will receive applications over a period of 5 days, from 16-20 August 2015.