ID :
42585
Sun, 01/25/2009 - 13:14
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https://oananews.org//node/42585
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UAE has achieved concrete results in gender equality: Maitha
Guatemala City- Jan 25, 2009 (WAM) - Following is the full text of the Statement by H.E Maitha Al Shamsi Minister of State to the second Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement On the Advancement of Women Guatemala, 21-24 January 2009 Begin text: Mr. Chairman On behalf of the UAE delegation, I would like to extend to you and the members of your office our gratitude and appreciation for your efforts in directing the work of this conference. We are confident of your ability to lead our work to success. I also would like to thank the people and government of the friendly Guatemala for hosting this conference.
Mr. Chairman, The UAE has realised since its foundation that achieving general development and fulfilling the millennium goals cannot be fulfilled without the exploitation of all human resources in the society which consists of men and women. Accordingly, our leaders considered women as major partners in the process of development to be achieved in order to catch up with today's expectations and to lay down the foundations of the modern state. Therefore, the provisions of the constitution of the UAE, emphasized equality among citizens of both sexes, in rights and duties, including work, social security, entitlement, equal opportunities in all fields and the enjoyment of all educational facilities, health and social care, all of which 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.
Furthermore the concepts of gender equality, advancement and empowerment of women were integrated within the comprehensive programs of sustainable development in the country and women's issues gained attention, political and financial support on the highest levels in the country where relevant official and civil institutions participated in meeting the requirements to implement those programs. In that regard we are pleased to mention that the Emirati women presence in leadership and decision making positions in the country is not a new development; it is a continuation of the journey lead by H.H Sheikha Fatma Bint Mubarak, wife of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. H.H 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. In addition, H.H occupies honorary presidency over the UAE Red Crescent besides her great contributions to the founding of the Refugee Women Support Fund and the Refugee Mothers Fund.
Mr. Chairman, The UAE has accomplished great achievements in the advancement of women including gender equality and eliminating all forms of discrimination against women in all areas, the most prominent of which is her representation in the legislative, executive and juristic authorities and her occupation of a number of the highest positions in all fields. Women participate actively in the decision making process on the highest level where they occupy 22% of seats in the Federal National Council and the new cabinet includes four women ministers.
Since programs for women empowerment and gender equality represent a major aspect of a comprehensive development plan in the country, the financing of these programs receives the necessary attention and commitment from official authorities, where it is being provided through policies of total economy and strategies for general development. The country has assigned seven national mechanisms which are directly concerned with women and children's affairs, the latest of which is the Family Development Foundation, established in 2006 for developing strategies to advance women status and oversight the implementation of those strategies. Recently, the Foundation had signed a memorandum of understanding 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.
We have achieved concrete results in gender equality in areas such as education, health care and work. The percentage of girls enrolled in elementary schools is getting closer to the boys', whereas In higher stages of education, girls supersede boys where they comprise 70 % of the total number of university graduates with constant increase in women holding Masters and PhDs. Women form 59% % of the total national work force in the country; they occupy 66% of jobs in the public sector of which 30% are of leading and decision making positions.
To assist women who can not work away from their families, the Ministry of Social Affairs undertook the implementation of "Program Productive families", which seeks to improve the financial resources of limited income families and transform them from dependent families to contributing ones. For that purpose, the Ministry established centers for social development to train women and provide them with the necessary skills to improve their opportunities in the work market.
To promote private investments for women, the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry helped in the establishment of the Business Women Council.
Women in the UAE enjoy high quality health care and services provide by the government, especially those for maternity and child care. We succeeded in reducing the rate of maternity death by 86% achieving a 100% births under licensed health professionals while reducing infancy death to %.7.7 (7.7 per thousand) The UAE continues its efforts to advance women in all areas and to promote and dissipate education and knowledge on equality and justice in all institutions in the country. We continue to work towards removing social and psychological barriers that face the total integration of women in all areas and specialties of work.
Mr. Chairman, We are deeply concerned about the suffering of many women in the world, especially those in the developing countries, due to dire economic and humanitarian conditions as a result of poverty, armed conflicts, wars and foreign occupation, specially the Palestinian women and families who live under an unacceptable humanitarian tragedy after the massacre and crimes committed by the Israeli occupying forces. We call upon the international community to provide the necessary support and assistance to the Palestinian women and people, and speed up the efforts to reach a comprehensive and permanent peaceful solution for the Palestinian question. In this regard, The United Arab Emirates, being very keen on fulfilling its international and humanitarian commitments to assist the Palestinian people and lift their suffering, has taken important and effective initiatives to support the humanitarian efforts towards the reconstruction of what the Israeli aggression has destroyed in Gaza. In addition to that, we continue our support to regional efforts to advance education and health services and lift the suffering of the Palestinian women.
We also urge for the continuation of international efforts aimed to enhance the international political and financial support for millions of women in the developing countries who are suffering from poverty, serious diseases and armed conflicts, so that they can improve their living conditions in compliance with the principles of the Charter, Human Rights, the recommendations of the Millennium declaration and the Beijing Plan of Action.
Mr. Chairman, The UAE has realised since its foundation that achieving general development and fulfilling the millennium goals cannot be fulfilled without the exploitation of all human resources in the society which consists of men and women. Accordingly, our leaders considered women as major partners in the process of development to be achieved in order to catch up with today's expectations and to lay down the foundations of the modern state. Therefore, the provisions of the constitution of the UAE, emphasized equality among citizens of both sexes, in rights and duties, including work, social security, entitlement, equal opportunities in all fields and the enjoyment of all educational facilities, health and social care, all of which 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.
Furthermore the concepts of gender equality, advancement and empowerment of women were integrated within the comprehensive programs of sustainable development in the country and women's issues gained attention, political and financial support on the highest levels in the country where relevant official and civil institutions participated in meeting the requirements to implement those programs. In that regard we are pleased to mention that the Emirati women presence in leadership and decision making positions in the country is not a new development; it is a continuation of the journey lead by H.H Sheikha Fatma Bint Mubarak, wife of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. H.H 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. In addition, H.H occupies honorary presidency over the UAE Red Crescent besides her great contributions to the founding of the Refugee Women Support Fund and the Refugee Mothers Fund.
Mr. Chairman, The UAE has accomplished great achievements in the advancement of women including gender equality and eliminating all forms of discrimination against women in all areas, the most prominent of which is her representation in the legislative, executive and juristic authorities and her occupation of a number of the highest positions in all fields. Women participate actively in the decision making process on the highest level where they occupy 22% of seats in the Federal National Council and the new cabinet includes four women ministers.
Since programs for women empowerment and gender equality represent a major aspect of a comprehensive development plan in the country, the financing of these programs receives the necessary attention and commitment from official authorities, where it is being provided through policies of total economy and strategies for general development. The country has assigned seven national mechanisms which are directly concerned with women and children's affairs, the latest of which is the Family Development Foundation, established in 2006 for developing strategies to advance women status and oversight the implementation of those strategies. Recently, the Foundation had signed a memorandum of understanding 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.
We have achieved concrete results in gender equality in areas such as education, health care and work. The percentage of girls enrolled in elementary schools is getting closer to the boys', whereas In higher stages of education, girls supersede boys where they comprise 70 % of the total number of university graduates with constant increase in women holding Masters and PhDs. Women form 59% % of the total national work force in the country; they occupy 66% of jobs in the public sector of which 30% are of leading and decision making positions.
To assist women who can not work away from their families, the Ministry of Social Affairs undertook the implementation of "Program Productive families", which seeks to improve the financial resources of limited income families and transform them from dependent families to contributing ones. For that purpose, the Ministry established centers for social development to train women and provide them with the necessary skills to improve their opportunities in the work market.
To promote private investments for women, the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry helped in the establishment of the Business Women Council.
Women in the UAE enjoy high quality health care and services provide by the government, especially those for maternity and child care. We succeeded in reducing the rate of maternity death by 86% achieving a 100% births under licensed health professionals while reducing infancy death to %.7.7 (7.7 per thousand) The UAE continues its efforts to advance women in all areas and to promote and dissipate education and knowledge on equality and justice in all institutions in the country. We continue to work towards removing social and psychological barriers that face the total integration of women in all areas and specialties of work.
Mr. Chairman, We are deeply concerned about the suffering of many women in the world, especially those in the developing countries, due to dire economic and humanitarian conditions as a result of poverty, armed conflicts, wars and foreign occupation, specially the Palestinian women and families who live under an unacceptable humanitarian tragedy after the massacre and crimes committed by the Israeli occupying forces. We call upon the international community to provide the necessary support and assistance to the Palestinian women and people, and speed up the efforts to reach a comprehensive and permanent peaceful solution for the Palestinian question. In this regard, The United Arab Emirates, being very keen on fulfilling its international and humanitarian commitments to assist the Palestinian people and lift their suffering, has taken important and effective initiatives to support the humanitarian efforts towards the reconstruction of what the Israeli aggression has destroyed in Gaza. In addition to that, we continue our support to regional efforts to advance education and health services and lift the suffering of the Palestinian women.
We also urge for the continuation of international efforts aimed to enhance the international political and financial support for millions of women in the developing countries who are suffering from poverty, serious diseases and armed conflicts, so that they can improve their living conditions in compliance with the principles of the Charter, Human Rights, the recommendations of the Millennium declaration and the Beijing Plan of Action.
