ID :
110854
Wed, 03/10/2010 - 14:40
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https://oananews.org//node/110854
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UAE remained active in all mainstream international movements launched to claim women's rights, Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi
Ankara - March 10, 2010 (WAM)- H.E Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State said that United Arab Emirates has been active in all mainstream international movements launched to claim women's rights.
"The vision of our founding father, the support and policies of the government, the role models these policies have produced, and the constitutionally guaranteed equal rights for women, are described as the main driving factors for women's progress in our society", she said while speaking at Women's Rights Summit held here in Ankara, Turkey.
She comprehensively elaborated UAE official policy to protect women rights and the opportunities provided for their empowerment along with their participation in nation building and economic development.
"We remain committed to the deeds and resolves of the major international women's conferences beginning with that held in New Mexico in 1975, followed by Copenhagen in 1980 and Nairobi in 1985, the landmark Beijing Summit in 1995 and the subsequent gatherings and forums on MDGs".
"All UAE laws in regards to women are consistent with the Beijing Declaration and the outcome of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly and all the declarations and outcomes of conferences on women".
"We are also the part of the initiative taken by the Non Alignment Movement to pursue Millennium Development Goals on women empowerment in its Ministerial Conferences, first in Malaysia in 2005 and then in Guatemala in 2009".
Full text of her speech is as follow.
Your Highness Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Republic of Turkey, Honourable Fatima Sahin, Chairwoman AK Party Women's Branch Headquarter, Excellencies distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, I have the honour to participate in this important Summit and Roundtable on Women's Rights.
First of all I would like to convey the goodwill messages from our President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan and His Highness the Vice President and Prime Minister and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who have sent their best wishes for the success of the Summit.
The best wishes of our leaders are based on their own experience and efforts to lead our nation to achieve dramatic results in bringing Emirati women to the mainstream to play an important role in national development.
I must also mention here Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the First Lady of the United Arab Emirates, and the wife of the founding father of our nation, His Highness late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima has played a major role in assisting the women of the UAE to realise their full potential.
She has been presiding over a number of national institutions concerned with women and family issues and contributes effectively to their advancement in all areas.
Among those institutions is the General Women Union, established in 1975, the Higher Council for Motherhood and Childhood, established in 2003 and the latest, the Family Development Foundation, established in 2006 It was the result of these efforts and the vision and policies of our leaders that the proportion of women in the national workforce has grown enormously during past three decades.
They are occupying posts ranging from senior civil servants to engineers and bankers, as well as traditional jobs in teaching and healthcare.
Women form 59 per-cent of the total national workforce in the country; they occupy 66 per-cent of jobs in the public sector of which 30 per-cent are of leading and decision making positions.
The Gender-Related Development Index of the UNDP Human Development Report ranks UAE, 29th in the world, and the best in the Arab World, under the Gender Empowerment Measures.
The contribution of Emirati women to economy was 33-point-4 per-cent in 2007 as compared to only 9-point-7 per-cent in 1986. UAE has the largest number of business women in our region.
The UAE Business-Women Council has 12-thousands members. The membership is growing with an average of 2 per cent per annum.
The business investments of UAE women run into 25-billion dirham that is equal to almost 6-point-8 billion US dollars.
The Emirati women have also broken some glass ceilings in areas that were considered more gender specific. In Federal National Council, 9 out of 40 members, or 22-point-5 per-cent, are women, while the world average is 17 per cent.
There are 4 women ministers in the UAE federal cabinet, and 2 ambassadors and one Council General in some major countries of the world. UAE is also the second GCC country after Bahrain to have a female judge.
We are also very proud of our achievements in education sector especially in the field of female education where women have out-performed males at every level of education. UAE has also out-paced the regional averages in this area.
The overall percentage of female undergraduate students in the higher education institutions in the UAE is 77 per cent that is highest in the entire world.
The combined gross enrolment ratio for primary, secondary and tertiary level education is above 72 per cent for female and 65 per-cent for male. The adult literacy rate for 15 and above is 81 per cent for women and 76 per cent for men.
The 2007 UNDP status report on Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) recognised these achievements as the outcome of our target-oriented policies.
The vision of our founding father, the support and policies of the government, the role models these policies have produced, and the constitutionally guaranteed equal rights for women, are described as the main driving factors for women's progress in our society.
Under the UAE Constitution, women enjoy the same legal status, claim to titles, access to education and the right to practice professions as men.
The cultural heritage has provided strength and an identity to the UAE women. Our religion acted as a support system to women and not an obstacle to achieve success in their chosen business or profession.
Our association with international women organisations, working for gender equality and women empowerment, has also been very useful in achieving our good results.
This provided us badly needed depth in formulating national strategies for women's development.
The Family Development Foundation has worked closely with the United Nations Fund for Women Development to strengthen the institutional capacities and update the National Strategy for the development of women in the UAE.
The United Arab Emirates has been active in all mainstream international movements launched to claim women's rights.
We remain committed to the deeds and resolves of the major international women's conferences beginning with that held in New Mexico in 1975, followed by Copenhagen in 1980 and Nairobi in 1985, the landmark Beijing Summit in 1995 and the subsequent gatherings and forums on MDGs.
All UAE laws in regards to women are consistent with the Beijing Declaration and the outcome of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly and all the declarations and outcomes of conferences on women.
We are also the part of the initiative taken by the Non Alignment Movement to pursue Millennium Development Goals on women empowerment in its Ministerial Conferences, first in Malaysia in 2005 and then in Guatemala in 2009.
The present Summit and Roundtable by the Women's Branch of AK Party Headquarter is also a link in this chain that is making it possible that all women of the globe speak with one voice to claim their rights.
I would like to congratulate Her Excellency Fatima Sahin, Chairwoman AK Party Women's Branch Headquarter, who has provided a valuable opportunity to representatives from East and West to sit together to share their experiences.
I am sure in this sitting we will be able to assess where we stand, how far we have come and what more we have to accomplish.
A discourse like this and a prolonged campaign and initiatives from the world bodies and international forums have made it possible that the women's rights are now strongly linked with the sustainable development and the progress of the human race and this entire globe.
I am sure we will make every effort today to identify the major issues in regards to women's rights all over the world. The Summit has provided us a great opportunity to strengthen the networks of women from the East and West.
I would like to repeat the famous quote from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Republic of Turkey, who said that it is not possible for one half to reach the skies when the other half is tied to the ground. To share the thoughts of a great leader, let us join hands and fly together.
"The vision of our founding father, the support and policies of the government, the role models these policies have produced, and the constitutionally guaranteed equal rights for women, are described as the main driving factors for women's progress in our society", she said while speaking at Women's Rights Summit held here in Ankara, Turkey.
She comprehensively elaborated UAE official policy to protect women rights and the opportunities provided for their empowerment along with their participation in nation building and economic development.
"We remain committed to the deeds and resolves of the major international women's conferences beginning with that held in New Mexico in 1975, followed by Copenhagen in 1980 and Nairobi in 1985, the landmark Beijing Summit in 1995 and the subsequent gatherings and forums on MDGs".
"All UAE laws in regards to women are consistent with the Beijing Declaration and the outcome of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly and all the declarations and outcomes of conferences on women".
"We are also the part of the initiative taken by the Non Alignment Movement to pursue Millennium Development Goals on women empowerment in its Ministerial Conferences, first in Malaysia in 2005 and then in Guatemala in 2009".
Full text of her speech is as follow.
Your Highness Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Republic of Turkey, Honourable Fatima Sahin, Chairwoman AK Party Women's Branch Headquarter, Excellencies distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, I have the honour to participate in this important Summit and Roundtable on Women's Rights.
First of all I would like to convey the goodwill messages from our President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan and His Highness the Vice President and Prime Minister and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who have sent their best wishes for the success of the Summit.
The best wishes of our leaders are based on their own experience and efforts to lead our nation to achieve dramatic results in bringing Emirati women to the mainstream to play an important role in national development.
I must also mention here Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the First Lady of the United Arab Emirates, and the wife of the founding father of our nation, His Highness late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima has played a major role in assisting the women of the UAE to realise their full potential.
She has been presiding over a number of national institutions concerned with women and family issues and contributes effectively to their advancement in all areas.
Among those institutions is the General Women Union, established in 1975, the Higher Council for Motherhood and Childhood, established in 2003 and the latest, the Family Development Foundation, established in 2006 It was the result of these efforts and the vision and policies of our leaders that the proportion of women in the national workforce has grown enormously during past three decades.
They are occupying posts ranging from senior civil servants to engineers and bankers, as well as traditional jobs in teaching and healthcare.
Women form 59 per-cent of the total national workforce in the country; they occupy 66 per-cent of jobs in the public sector of which 30 per-cent are of leading and decision making positions.
The Gender-Related Development Index of the UNDP Human Development Report ranks UAE, 29th in the world, and the best in the Arab World, under the Gender Empowerment Measures.
The contribution of Emirati women to economy was 33-point-4 per-cent in 2007 as compared to only 9-point-7 per-cent in 1986. UAE has the largest number of business women in our region.
The UAE Business-Women Council has 12-thousands members. The membership is growing with an average of 2 per cent per annum.
The business investments of UAE women run into 25-billion dirham that is equal to almost 6-point-8 billion US dollars.
The Emirati women have also broken some glass ceilings in areas that were considered more gender specific. In Federal National Council, 9 out of 40 members, or 22-point-5 per-cent, are women, while the world average is 17 per cent.
There are 4 women ministers in the UAE federal cabinet, and 2 ambassadors and one Council General in some major countries of the world. UAE is also the second GCC country after Bahrain to have a female judge.
We are also very proud of our achievements in education sector especially in the field of female education where women have out-performed males at every level of education. UAE has also out-paced the regional averages in this area.
The overall percentage of female undergraduate students in the higher education institutions in the UAE is 77 per cent that is highest in the entire world.
The combined gross enrolment ratio for primary, secondary and tertiary level education is above 72 per cent for female and 65 per-cent for male. The adult literacy rate for 15 and above is 81 per cent for women and 76 per cent for men.
The 2007 UNDP status report on Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) recognised these achievements as the outcome of our target-oriented policies.
The vision of our founding father, the support and policies of the government, the role models these policies have produced, and the constitutionally guaranteed equal rights for women, are described as the main driving factors for women's progress in our society.
Under the UAE Constitution, women enjoy the same legal status, claim to titles, access to education and the right to practice professions as men.
The cultural heritage has provided strength and an identity to the UAE women. Our religion acted as a support system to women and not an obstacle to achieve success in their chosen business or profession.
Our association with international women organisations, working for gender equality and women empowerment, has also been very useful in achieving our good results.
This provided us badly needed depth in formulating national strategies for women's development.
The Family Development Foundation has worked closely with the United Nations Fund for Women Development to strengthen the institutional capacities and update the National Strategy for the development of women in the UAE.
The United Arab Emirates has been active in all mainstream international movements launched to claim women's rights.
We remain committed to the deeds and resolves of the major international women's conferences beginning with that held in New Mexico in 1975, followed by Copenhagen in 1980 and Nairobi in 1985, the landmark Beijing Summit in 1995 and the subsequent gatherings and forums on MDGs.
All UAE laws in regards to women are consistent with the Beijing Declaration and the outcome of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly and all the declarations and outcomes of conferences on women.
We are also the part of the initiative taken by the Non Alignment Movement to pursue Millennium Development Goals on women empowerment in its Ministerial Conferences, first in Malaysia in 2005 and then in Guatemala in 2009.
The present Summit and Roundtable by the Women's Branch of AK Party Headquarter is also a link in this chain that is making it possible that all women of the globe speak with one voice to claim their rights.
I would like to congratulate Her Excellency Fatima Sahin, Chairwoman AK Party Women's Branch Headquarter, who has provided a valuable opportunity to representatives from East and West to sit together to share their experiences.
I am sure in this sitting we will be able to assess where we stand, how far we have come and what more we have to accomplish.
A discourse like this and a prolonged campaign and initiatives from the world bodies and international forums have made it possible that the women's rights are now strongly linked with the sustainable development and the progress of the human race and this entire globe.
I am sure we will make every effort today to identify the major issues in regards to women's rights all over the world. The Summit has provided us a great opportunity to strengthen the networks of women from the East and West.
I would like to repeat the famous quote from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Republic of Turkey, who said that it is not possible for one half to reach the skies when the other half is tied to the ground. To share the thoughts of a great leader, let us join hands and fly together.
