Fatima inaugurates Arab media forum

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Chairwoman of the UAE Women's Federation, opened the Arab Women's Media Forum here yesterday.

In her speech during the inaugural ceremony, Sheikha Fatima reiterated that the UAE has done everything to provide work opportunities for women in various aspects of life, especially the media, thanks to the wise leadership of Sheikh Zayed.

Sheikha Fatima's speech was read out by Dr. Hessa Lootah, chairwoman of the forum's media committee.

Sheikha Fatima highlighted the achievements of UAE women and their entry into the media. "The media in the UAE have become highly developed to the extent that they have received recognition among other Arab countries and on the global scene.

"During last year, the number of women in different media establishments, be it journalism, radio or television have increased noticeably in the UAE," she said.

Sheikha Fatima said the participation here is clear evidence of the eagerness in Arab countries to ensure women's participation in the media. This forum, like other women's forums, is the result of the first Arab women's summit in Cairo in October 2000.

Such events are the best indication of the involvement and interest of the first ladies of the Arab countries. They are committed to helping women advance in the media sector, especially in light of the communication, information and cultural globalisation revolution.

"We realise the magnitude of the cultural and intellectual challenge that our Arab and Islamic nations face," Sheikha Fatima said.

"It is because of this challenge that our nations need to find the appropriate tools to enhance the dissemination of their cultural message among nations. They can accomplish that by utilising all the resources available, starting with the principles of forgiveness, equality and successful communication."

She hoped that the discussions that take place in the various symposium sessions will encourage the social and media establishments to put more effort into achieving in reality the vital role of women and their participation in the various media fields.

On a local note, Sheikha Fatima said, "We hope that by the end of the forum, the plan for the Abu Dhabi Media Project will have been finalised and assigned by the second summit for the Arab woman.

She also expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Woman's National Council in Egypt, General Secretary of the Arab League and the Hariri Foundation in Lebanon for their enormous efforts in the rendering the meeting a success.

Earlier, Sheikha Fatima received Suzanne Mubarak, wife of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Princess Lalla Hasnaa, sister of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Fatima Khaled, wife of President Omar Hasan Al Bashir of Sudan, Suha Arafat, wife of President Yasser Arafat of Palestine, Ghazali Anbar Darwish, wife of the President of Comoros, leaders and members of the delegations participating in the forum and a number of sheikhas.

Meanwhile, on behalf of Lt. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and on behalf of its entire staff, the General Exhibitions Corporation (gec) yesterday presented a memento to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

The memento was presented on the occasion of the Arab Women's Day, which was held at the GEC on Friday.

It was also a tribute to Sheikha Fatima for her relentless efforts to ensure prosperity and progress for women in the UAE, said the GEC.