2009-11-28 14:18:46
Abu Dhabi, 28 Nov. 2009 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) has paid tribute to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates on the 38th anniversary of the UAE's national day.

In an interview with "Zahrat Al Khaleej" magazine, published today, Sheikha Fatima said the UAE women have come long way since the establishment of the UAE.

"UAE women have never been left out in the development plans. Since the establishment of federation, the UAE women have managed to carve out a niche and to impress the whole world. Such success is a reflection of the wise policy of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who launched the political empowerment plans for women and opened the door for them to reach higher places in the decision and law making processes," Sheikha Fatima said.

"As we celebrate the achievements made by the UAE women, we remember with pride the march for women's progress, started by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan." "Under a wise leadership that believes investing in people is the most viable form of investments, we are confident that UAE women will make further success. It is enough to say that the UAE women are no longer busy claiming their rights, but exercising them," she stated.

On the country's initiatives for development of clean energy sources, Sheikha Fatima pointed out that the move was considered a great contribution in improving life on earth and granting next generations the opportunity for a better life.

"The selection of Abu Dhabi to host IRENA's headquarters added to the achievements of our foreign policy, thanks to the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and close follow-up of General H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The UAE diplomacy, led by Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has played a vital role in this achievement." Sheikha Fatima also said that the UAE spares no effort in guaranteeing elements of happy and stable family, adding that the country's vision for family combines modernity with traditions in line with the strategies for strengthening sense of identity and belonging among the citizens.

On her role in the Arab Women's Organisation (AWO), Sheikha Fatima, who assumed presidency of the organisation for three terms from 207 to 2009, said more achievements were in store for the organisation, currently chaired by Laila bin Ali, wife of the Tunisian President.

During her successive presidency term of AWO, Sheikha Fatima hosted and presided over the third meeting of the AWO Supreme Council, held in Abu Dhabi in May 2007. That meeting represented a prelude to the second AWO conference, held in the UAE capital in November 2008 under the theme: "Woman in the concepts and issues of human security: Arab and International Perspective.

Under Sheikha Fatima's presidency, AWO saw the launching of the "Media Strategy for Arab Women" and the "Network of Arab Women in the Diaspora (NAWD)" initiatives.

Sheikha Fatima, who is also Chairwoman of the Women's General Union (WGU), said the Union was instrumental in empowering women through several programmes and initiatives.

"The GWU has gained prestige by taking an active part in both Arab and international activities and organisations. In 2006, the GWU in partnership with UNDP, embarked on a national initiative programme to engage the female staff of the Union and other women's organisations in a capacity building through special courses on social awareness, enhancing the GWU's synergies with government and non-governmental organisations on issues relating to women's integration and providing support to productive women through the Productive Families Programme. " The Union has also taken part in important conferences on the development of women. Among these have been the first world conference on women, held in Mexico in 1975, the second conference, held in Copenhagen in 1980, the third Conference in Nairobi 1985 and the fourth in Beijing in 1995. The GWU also took part in the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg 2002.

The GUW has actively taken part in all Arab women's conferences, including the first one in Cairo 2000 and the second one in Amman 2002, which approved the recommendations issued by the Arab Women and Media Forum organised by the GWU in Abu Dhabi in February 2002. The Amman conference also blessed the 'Abu Dhabi Declaration issued by the Forum.

It also took part in the Women for Peace Conference, which was held in 2002 in Sharm Al Sheikh, Egypt. The GWU has been instrumental in establishing the Arab Women Organisation.

In February 2007, the UAE was elected as a member of the Social Development Committee of the UN's Social and Economic Council. This clearly reflects the progress made by the UAE women and their active participation in both regional and international arenas.

WAM/MAB