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 Zayed empowered UAE women
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Zayed empowered UAE women
By Lana Mahdi
13 November 2004
AL AIN — Since the birth of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had formulated great principles and concepts to allow national women to gain the same rights as men. Therefore, the women of UAE have always been a fundamental part of their society.
Shaikh Zayed had said: “Nothing would delight me more than to see a woman take up her distinctive position in society, and nothing should hinder her progress. Women deserve the right to occupy high positions, according to their capabilities and qualifications.”
Khaleej Times spoke to a cross-section of national women in Al Ain to elicit their opinions on Shaikh Zayed’s efforts to consolidate women’s power, development and enlightenment.
Dr Hissa Lotah, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, UAE University, said that Shaikh Zayed was an unprecedented leader, and he pondered deeply to discover his people’s needs, regardless of their gender.
She added that he had wonderful thoughts for a man with tribal roots. “We had attended a meeting on 1974-1975 to establish the General Women’s Union under Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak. He was there and he stressed the importance of civil society organisations that play a very effective role in women’s awakening,” she added.
Dr Mona Al Bahar from the Social Service Department, UAE University, said that Shaikh Zayed had attached high priority to human development without discrimination between males and females. “He offered UAE women the opportunity of higher education, work and participation in all community service fields,” she said.
Mayasa Al Khaily, a social specialist in the Al Ain Educational Zone (AAEZ), said that Shaikh Zayed was so modest that he was accustomed to speaking with ordinary people as a simple man. “Were it not for his support to women’s education, no one in the Zakhir area where I live could dare to send their girls to school in the past, as it was considered shameful according to local traditions. But now, the increasing number of women graduates and Ph.D. holders shows the greatness of this rare leader,” added Mayasa.
Salma Al Amry, a nutrition specialist, said that nobody could deny the unlimited efforts of Shaikh Zayed to spread awareness about women’s rights. He made his dreams come true to emancipate the UAE woman and equip the daughters of the country with a very good standard of life.
Dr Asma Al Kitby from the Department of Geography, UAE University, said that women are presently under the process of active participation in politics. A particular number of women will start attending meetings of the Federal National Council.
Maryam Al Tamimy, Director of the Centre for the Rehabilitation, Training and Employment of Physically Disabled People (female branch), said that Shaikh Zayed declared “Youth is the real wealth of the nation”. His aim was to use the oil income to develop academically and technically qualified citizens — men and women who can do the best to help their country in its future advancement. “This centre was established in line with the directives of Shaikh Zayed to realise his vision and provide a comprehensive service to disabled women, including counselling, guidance, rehabilitation, training and suitable employment,” added Maryam.
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lana mahdi
فيس بوك
تويتر
انستقرام
يوتيوب
بنتيريست