Dubai: Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment and wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, has asserted that the Government Summit is a qualitative achievement that affirms UAE’s position as pioneer in developing government systems and best practices by encouraging innovation and introducing unconventional methods to improve government services.

Shaikha Manal will chair a special plenary session in the 3rd Government Summit that attracts delegations from 87 countries and set to kick off in Dubai on February 9, 2015 under patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Shaikha Manal expressed her happiness and pride at participating in this global event that has become a prominent global event welcomed by the international community.

The session “Toward Gender Balance in Governments”, chaired by Shaikha Manal will discuss number of important issues through three discussion panels. The session will highlight the significant role of Emirati women in developing the country and leadership’s approach in empowering women and engaging them in all aspects, including UAE’s international competitiveness.

Commenting on the session agenda, Shaikha Manal said the UAE government has given woman adequate opportunities to become active partners in various fields, and the UAE Constitution has granted her equal rights to carry out her responsibilities. Consequently, Emirati woman have unleashed their potentials and assumed leadership positions in government.

She said Emirati women occupy 66 per cent of government’s workforce, with 30 per cent of them assuming leadership positions.

Shaikha Manal stated that the UAE’s success in enabling woman and bridging the gap between genders qualifies the country as a world-class example in both these aspects.

“Toward Gender Balance in Governments” will discuss the balance between home and work, the overwhelming social and cultural patterns and the legislations related to achieving balance between genders.