UAE celebrates International Women's Day

Alike world community, the UAE is also celebrating the International Women's Day, today under the theme, "Empower Rural Women - End Hunger and Poverty".

The Emirati women celebrate the occasion with a lot of achievements accomplished during the past few years thanks to the support of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the encouragement of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of General Women's Union, and of Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

The UAE women's role has been strengthened and gained new dimensions due to the encouragement and support of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of Emirates.

The president has said: "Nothing pleased me more than seeing Emirati women assuming their role in the society and achieve their rightful position .. Nothing should hinder the march of women's progress, women alike men have the right to assume the highest positions according to their abilities and qualifications.”

It is worth mentioning that women are now representing about 70 per cent of total university graduates in the state. In addition, woman in UAE holds four cabinet portfolios, eight seats in the FNC, and there are three women ambassadors and a female consul general out of a total of 65 women diplomats working at the ministry of foreign affairs in addition to working in the judiciary and public prosecution.

More importantly, the UAE woman has become a vital component in the manpower in the public sector accounting for 66 per cent of government jobs, 30 per cent of them are in leading positions linked to the decision making, adding that they also occupy 15 per cent of the teaching staff of UAE University and 60 per cent of the technical jobs, including medicine, teaching, pharmacology, nursing. In addition women are enrolled in the Armed Forces, Police and Customs.

Each year on March 8, International Women's Day is celebrated to honour the economic, social and political achievements of women internationally. It is also a day to remember the issues and challenges affecting women around the world.

Sheikha Fatima bin Mubarak is the leader of the women's movement in UAE, and in recognition of her efforts, the General Women's Union (GWU) was established. Her approach in this field is characterized by achieving balance between openness to the spirit of the age and maintaining the originality of Arab and Islamic traditions.

Sheikha Fatima is a role model to be followed by all Emirati women and since establishing the General Women's Union, She has achieved a qualitative leap in Women's empowerment with continuing efforts and future plans aimed at gaining more achievements in this field.

The International Women's Day was first observed as a popular event after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.

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