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Jawaher: Every day in an Emirati woman’s life sees a new achievement

The UAE was among the first countries that granted women their full rights and gave them the status they deserve in the society, says Shaikha Jawaher Al Qasimi.

Sharjah - Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Honourary Patron of Sharjah Businesswomen Council (SBWC), said that “every day in an Emirati woman’s life sees a new achievement for which she should be honoured and empowered to effectively participate in all sectors and fields, as a member of the community who enjoys full human rights and deserves to occupy higher positions”.

Shaikha Jawaher Al Qasimi was speaking on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8, and this year coincides with the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC).

Shaikha Jawaher Al Qasimi said: “The UAE was among the first countries that granted women their full rights and gave them the status they deserve in the society - an approach based on true Shariah and the provisions of the UAE’s constitution, thanks to the wise directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates who continued in the approach laid down by the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to support and empower women. This approach respects women as indispensable partners who play an effective and influential role in achieving progress and prosperity in the country, as part of the UAE’s quest to achieve balance and equity between men and women.”

Shaikha Jawaher Al Qasimi expressed her confidence in the potential of Emirati women who proved their ability to give unlimitedly and achieve success in any fields they apply themselves.

She said Emirati women enjoy high national spirit with a strong sense of responsibility towards their country and humanitarian issues that prompt them to make every possible effort to ensure that their country will remain at the top and that their families can continue to enjoy happiness and stability.

Shaikha Jawaher emphasised that Emirati women deserve to be honoured and recognised for their allegiance and loyalty to the nation, most notably their enthusiastic response to join national service, so as to work shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts and effectively engage in reinforcing their country’s immunity protection.

She praised the crucial role played by Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, in supporting and empowering Emirati women through countless initiatives and programmes she has launched over the past decades, and her eagerness to assist Emirati women in overcoming the obstacles they face on their paths to professional success by helping them reach the highest international levels.

She lauded the initiative launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to form the UAE Gender Balance Council last month. The council aims to enable women create a balance between family and work and offers her equal opportunities in education and employment as well as in occupying leading executive positions. It also commissions women to improve their abilities and hone their skills to further be able to make a positive change in the society.

Speaking about women’s engagement in the business sector, Shaikha Jawaher Al Qasimi stressed that the Emirati woman has proven herself in leading private businesses. The leadership’s immense support, economic potential and the competitive business environment enjoyed by the UAE would enable women to achieve greater progress in the business industry.

She pointed out that the Sharjah Business Women Council has been eager, since its establishment, to encourage women to enter into the business world while providing them with facilities, suggested plans and draft laws that endorse women and their participation in the various economic sectors, in addition to a series of training programmes, initiatives and projects undertaken by the council to support women.

On Women’s Day, Shaikha Jawaher highlighted that the theme which was adopted by the United Nations to mark the International Women’s Day: “Empowering Women - Empowering Humanity: Picture It!” was perfectly chosen, and truly corresponds with the UAE’s vision - from which the SBWC’s vision was derived - to enhance women’s participation in social and economic development and encourage them to enter the free business world, by providing them with a conducive environment that supports women in the Emirate of Sharjah and the UAE.

“In view of the vision of Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who supports Emirati women as key partners in the achievements made by the UAE, SBWC has benefited tremendously from the great appreciation and continuous support for women in overcoming obstacles and defeating challenges that face women in business, in coordination and collaboration with various local and federal bodies, as well as private organisations,” Shaikha Jawaher said.

She noted that the world is currently witnessing major developments with regards to the empowerment of women. “We, in the UAE, feel the positive impact of women’s role in the organisations and corporations they work for or those under their management,’ she said, adding that harmony and integrity between men and women at work are some of the crucial secrets of success witnessed in the UAE.