Dubai: Women in the UAE enjoy full rights and are protected against gender discrimination, particularly in the process that seeks to empower women in the judicial sector, the country's first two women judges said yesterday.
The UAE's first woman judge, Kholoud Ahmad Al Daheri, and Dubai's first woman judge, Ebtisam Ali Al Bedwawi, yesterday commended what they described as the "limitless efforts of the UAE leadership and government in supporting — morally and professionally — women empowerment in the judicial sector," during a lecture titled ‘First Women in the Law and Judiciary'.
"We have to distinguish ourselves as the UAE government has always supported women and worked on the issue of gender discrimination," Justice Ebtisam said.
"Women in [the] UAE enjoy their full rights and things are different here. We work in different sectors as we have female members in the Federal National Council, female ministers and women also hold high profile and senior positions in the government and private sector."
The lecture was organised by Thomson Reuters, in conjunction with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts, at the Dubai Judicial Institute.
Endless encouragement
Justice Khuloud said: "Thanks to the UAE's leaders and government for pushing our country forward and empowering women in [the] law and justice sectors and other industries. And thanks to the unlimited support of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak for her endless encouragement."
"She supports us morally to rise up to the challenges and achieve remarkable success in this profession," Justice Khuloud added. Advocate Diana Hamada, a lawyer at the International Advocate Legal Services, and Justice Ali Shamsi Al Madani from the DIFC Courts, moderated. Justice Tan Sri Siti Yaakob, from Malaysia, a judge at the DIFC Courts, also participated in the panel.
Advocate Diana asked the panelists to share their experiences with the audience about how they found the work of women judges, especially in light of challenges related to Sharia and other legislation.
Justice Khuloud said working as a judge was a great and noble job.
Meanwhile, Justice Ebtisam explained a different and unique experience.
"My family name [Bedwawi is of] Bedoun origin and... it means a difficult environment… but in the UAE everything's possible.... I am proud [of] what I have achieved academically and professionally so far," Justice Ebtisam said.
