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Elevating women is UAE’s objective: Haya

DUBAI — Elevating women is a strategic objective for the UAE, and reflects the trust and commitment of the leadership towards developing women and their role in society, Princess Haya bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said yesterday.

In a speech read out by Rajaa Easa Al Gurg, president, Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) and managing director of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, on behalf of Princess Haya at the two-day ‘New Arab Woman Forum’, which opened at Emirates Towers, the achievements of Emirati and Gulf women were highlighted, especially their ability to occupy 22.5 per cent of the Federal National Council seats, 10 per cent of the diplomatic sector positions in the UAE, around 30 per cent of the leading positions involving decision-making, and 66 per cent representation in the public sector.

Princess Haya emphasised that Arab women’s achievements at both the local and global levels were realised because they enjoyed many rights. “The Emirati woman, particularly, has benefited much from the wise guidance of the leaders. Her savings add up to $100 million,” she added.

“The Emirati woman’s participation in all national sectors has taken her to a deserving place in society.”

She made it clear that Gulf women had assumed such a position in a short period of time because of three reasons: education, work and market participation.

“Education had raised her place in society, and this is shown clearly from the rise in the number of female graduates for the academic year 2005-2006. Women are also actively participating in the corporate and legal fields.

“On the economic side, the volume of the savings of Emirati women is around $100 million and the number of businesswomen is near 45,000. In the Gulf, women constitute 35 per cent of the national work force.”

Several Arab women ministers, ambassadors, and heads of women’s organisations as well as 500 delegates from 30 Arab and foreign countries participated in the opening session. Among them were women who excel in politics, economy, education, social service, media, and arts, along with businessmen working in fields related to women.

Al Iktissad Wal Aamal Group along with its magazine Al Hasnaa, organisers of the two-day forum bestowed the forum award to Princess Haya in appreciation for her efforts and achievements in developing Arab women.

Awards were also given to Shaikh Soaad Al Humaidi from Kuwait, Fatima Obaid Al Jaber from UAE, and Al Juwhara bint Mohammed Al Anqari from Saudi Arabia.

Nadine Abou Zaki, chairman of the New Arab Woman Forum and editor-in-chief of Al Hasnaa magazine, said that the event would again be held in Dubai next year under the patronage of Princess Haya. “This forum is only the initial step on the thousand mile trip,” she said. “It is the first but won’t be the last. We want this to be a forum where women and men complement each other.”