Call to form an Arab families' association

An association of Arab families who produce homemade goods should be convened to discuss ways to market these goods.

Increased productivity among women will add to family incomes and increase women's economic and social contribution to society.

It will also assist low income families, which manufacture products at home, market the products at the "Producing Families Festival" organised every year by the General Women's Union.

The festival was approved by the Arab League in 1997 and has been held annually since then. This year, the festival will be held from February 1 to 15.

There will be entries from 222 families from around the Arab world besides UAE women's societies and social centres.

"A producing hand... a safe future" is the title of this year's festival. Products available will be artistic creations, perfumes, cosmetic products and traditional hand-made objects.

Activities will begin on February 1 which is the day chosen to mark Arab Woman's Day. The two-day "Arab Women Media Forum" will begin on February 2 to discuss women's image in the media and the role they should play in that field.