‘Zayed made every possible effort to support Emirati women’

Since the establishment of the UAE in 1971, the Founding Father Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan believed that the development of society is achieved by empowering women, encouraging their participation, and giving them opportunities.

Shaikh Zayed also believed that all efforts should be made to enable women to perform their roles to the fullest. During the declaration of the unification of the nation, Shaikh Zayed said: “Nothing pleases me more than seeing Emirati women assuming their role in society and achieving their rightful position. Nothing should hinder the march of women’s progress. Like men, women have the right to assume the highest positions according to their abilities and qualifications.”

Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, said that Emirati women have the right to be proud of their outstanding achievements.

Shaikha Fatima attributed the progress of Emirati women to the efforts of the country’s founder and builder of its cultural renaissance, Shaikh Zayed, who avidly supported women’s progress, adding that Shaikh Zayed made every possible effort to support Emirati women and to develop social conditions which encourage women’s advancement to fully participate in public life.

She commended the efforts of the UAE’s leadership in supporting women’s empowerment by offering education, employment, and training opportunities. She said Emirati women constitute 66 per cent of government staff, 30 per cent of decision-making positions, in addition to the private sector. She noted that more than 23,000 Emirati businesswomen had investments worth over Dh40 billion.