50% FNC seat reservation for women hailed

DUBAI — UAE citizens and officials have hailed the Presidential directive to increase Emirati women’s representation in the Federal National Council (FNC) to 50 per cent as a “great stride in the nation’s steady progress into the future”.

In a landmark move, the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had directed the authorities concerned to double women representation in the FNC from the current 22.5 per cent. The directive aims to rank the UAE among the top worldwide when it comes to representation of women in parliament.

Leading the tribute was Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, 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).

“We feel happy about the directives of the wise leadership, which is always working for the progress and development of the country in all domains. The prudent leadership continues tracing the legacy of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who supported women since the establishment of the country and called on them to take part in the development march of the country.

“Now, the wish of the late Sheikh Zayed has come true after empowering the Emirati women as they played their prime role in all fields as an effective contributor along with men.”

She said the directives have made the UAE an international role model in women’s representation at world’s parliaments and even surpassed them, “given the wise leadership’s belief in their national role in all fields”.

The move is an auspicious step that will add to the achievements of the UAE women.”

Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, President of UAE Gender Balance Council

Historic step

Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the FNC, said the “historic step” is a first in the Arab world and “it culminates the full empowerment of the UAE women”.

Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and the Dubai Women Establishment, described the move as an “auspicious step” that will add to the achievements of the UAE women and “inspire them to continue their endeavours to excel in all walks of life”.

Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, said the wise leadership had envisioned a pioneering role to the women in national development. “This vision is complemented today by further elevating women’s status and enabling them to play their part in the development of the community and the country at large.”

Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GWU, lauded the the leadership’s endevaours to “support all citizens, men and women alike”. Al Reem Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the SCMC, described the step as “true evidence of how the UAE women are empowered”.