Dubai: Dr Hanif Hassan, chairman of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue, said the UAE leadership, with its wise vision, sound policies and efforts, has achieved in less than 50 years the successes made by other countries in two centuries.

In view of the release of Forbes Middle East list of the ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen 2017’, Dr Hassan reaffirmed that President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, are committed to implementing a sustainable policy that provides women access to all available and possible means to unleash their full potential.

The UAE has the highest number of women on the 2017 list with 18, followed closely by Egypt with 16. Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, also retained her top position in the ‘10 most powerful women in government’ list.

“The wise leadership has made sure to provide opportunities for women across all fields, including heading the Federal National Council and other ministerial posts, as well as holding top positions across corporate boards, governmental bodies, and universities. This support has emboldened, and encouraged Emirati women to see no bounds and set their ambitions high,” Dr Hassan continued.

He added that this historic achievement was also gained thanks to the wise vision of the UAE’s founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was keen to provide Emirati women with the best of education and to protect her rights with a well-established legal system.

Dr Hassan underlined the role of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, for carrying forward the late Shaikh Zayed’s vision through the establishment of institutions, individual efforts and constant care for women.

These latest results achieved by Emirati women are a testament to the entrenchment of human rights and gender equality in the UAE’s systems, making the country a beacon of hope and role model for other Arab states, he said.