Sheikha 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, has announced that the celebrations of Emirati Woman Day, which will kick off on 28th August to mark the establishment of General Women Union, which was established in 1975, will be allocated for honouring Emirati women in the Armed Forces, in recognition to their heroic role.

She added that the Emirati women have proven beyond doubt their efficiency in any role assigned to them in service of the nation, including the Armed Forces, national service, police and security.

Sheikha Fatima recalled that the enlisting of the Emirati women in the Armed Forces dates back to the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a legacy sustained the incumbent President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to build a formidable armed forces. She cited that "We observed on 8th December last year the silver jubilee of Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School."

She noted that the Emirati women have been enlisting in the Armed Forces in droves despite the fact that they were not obliged by any law to do. "It reflects the legendary epic of loyalty to the homeland and the leadership as well as willingness to take on national responsibility and partnership in the defence of national sovereignty, dignity and national gains."

Sheikha Fatima declared on 30th November, 2014, to make 28th August each year a day to observe Emirati woman achievements.
Source: WAM