The UAE Ministry of State for Federal National Council, FNC, Affairs recently organised a discussion panel entitled, "Promoting Political Participation Among Women" in collaboration with the General Women’s Union at the latter’s Abu Dhabi headquarters.

The session shed light on the positive impact that Emirati women have had on political life in the UAE, as well as the development taking place in the country across all sectors.

Speaking at the panel, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, said, "With unconditional support from the UAE’s leadership, and with direct attention from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Emirati women have proven themselves and their ability to achieve and innovate."

"Women in the UAE have registered great success in politics and diplomacy, to add to their administrative, economic and social achievements," she added. "They have made their mark on the development of parliamentary life in the UAE, and have carved out a spot for themselves in the national decision-making process, setting an example for women and women’s empowerment around the world."

Noura Al Suwaidi, Director of the General Women’s Union, asserted that women in the UAE have proven their worth in politics, as well as in all other walks of life, backed by the support of the country’s wise leaders, as well as H.H. Sheikha Fatima, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

Al Suwaidi went on to explain that Emirati women have been part of political life in the UAE since the country’s founding, and have since assumed more than 66 percent of government jobs and 30 percent of leadership roles. "Our wise leaders recognised early on the role that women can play," Al Suwaidi said, "and paved the way for them to join the Federal National Council, whereby 22 percent of the Council’s members are now women. Moreover, The FNC Speaker is also a woman, the first in the entire Arab region."

The session tackled three main subjects, the first of which addressed the UAE’s parliamentary experience and featured FNC Member and Director General of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, Afra Al Basti, while the second, which featured Dr. Said Mohammed Al Ghafli, Assistant Under-Secretary for FNC Affairs at the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs, explored political development and its role in the success of the elections.

The third and final subject looked into the role of government organisations, as well as civil society, in promoting political participation, and examined the role of the General Women’s Union in that regard.