As the General Women’s Union (GWU) celebrates its 34th anniversary, various women activists and leaders in the UAE and other Arab countries have hailed the historic achievements of the Union under the leadership of HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak.
They unanimously acknowledged that the colossal movement transformed the Emirati woman and nurtured her radiant role in the march of the nation towards development and progress.
They also held in high esteem the great support given by President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council members and Rulers of emirates to the women’s movement enabling them to fully participate in the making of a nation.
The General Women’s Union was established on 27th August 1975 under Federal Law No. (6) of 1974 under the Presidency of H.H. Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak to be an umbrella supporting and organising the women movements in the U.A.E.
The women’s associations in various emirates are amalgamated under the federation of the GWU.
The General Women’s Union endeavours to develop Emirati woman in all different cultural, social, economical and political fields, thus empowering her to play equal role with men in the country’s progress.
Chairperson of the Dubai Women Association, Shaikha Amina Bint Humaid Al Tayer said that the GWU, under the leadership of H.H. Shaikha Fatima, could make miracles in this land during the past decades. She noted the participation of the women in the country’s economic, social, cultural and political development.
Shaikha Mahra Bint Ahmed Al Ghurair, wife of His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah said that the GWU, under H.H. Shaikha Fatima’s leadership, could make innumerable achievements over the last years since its inception.
Shaikha Mahra, who is also the chairperson of the RAK Women’s Association said in a message of greeting to Shaikha Fatima on this glorious occasion: ’ To the beloved mother H.H. Shaikha Fatima, who embodied self-giving in its exalted form, we express our sublime greetings to you. Your work and achievements have set the model for us to follow’.
Shaikha Mahra said that the Emirati women could achieve great heights in the fields of education and culture, thanks to the efforts of the President of the GWU, Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
In her statement, Shaikha Maryam bint Ali bin Rashid Al-Mualla, Chairperson of both the Higher Committee’s of the GWU and the Umm al-Qaiwain Women’s Association, said women, under the UAE federation, had made tremendous achievements in various areas compared to their peers in many countries of the world. she attributed that success to the wise leadership of the President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Their Highnesses, members of Supreme Council Rulers of the Emirates, as well as to the great determination to succeed by Emirati women.
She credited those achievements to Her Highness Shaikha Fatima and cited the latter’s efforts in support of Emirati women to reach the leadership posts, including ministerial, ambassadorial, judiciary and parliamentary posts, as well as their success in the areas of business, administration, education, culture and sports.
Shaikha Fatima bint Zayed bin Saqr Al-Nahyan, Wife of Ruler of Ajman, congratulated Her Highness Shaikha Fatima and praised the latter for her great efforts in support of the cause of women at the national Arab and international levels. "We deserve nothing less than a warm congratulations to ourselves on this happy occasion as we review with great pride the successful march to greater achievements by our organisation on its way to meet the demands of our nation and people, in improving the lots of Emirati and Arab women by strengthening their status as an integral part of the socio-economic development of our nation, in facing the challenges that confront the nation and in achieving more progress and prosperity for our people," she said.
"In marking this anniversary, we renew our pledge to our leadership, under President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Their Highnesses, members of Supreme Council Rulers of the Emirates, to continue to move forward in support and empowerment of women towards more development and progress," she added.
Also commenting on the occasion, Shaikha Aisha bint Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Women’s Association said: "The 27th of August 1975 is regarded as a day of celebration for Emirati women because it marked the beginning of their march towards greater heights in the future to achieve their goals and aspirations." "Today, after all these years, the Emirati woman can look up and boast of her great achievements in all areas as she has been able to achieve a lot more than her peers in other countries," she added and attributed those achievements to Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, to whom she extended her warmest greetings and congratulations on the happy occasion.
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