Emiratis paint portrait of progress, says report

Abu Dhabi: The General Women's Union has issued a 'Portrait of Progress' document on UAE Women, an overview to coincide with the opening of the Arab Women Organisation (AWO) starting at the Emirates Palace Hotel on Tuesday.

Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of AWO, says in the introduction of the document that "Women in the United Arab Emirates have made unprecedented and tangible progress. Women have shown great determination to qualify to vigorously shoulder the responsibility of serving the UAE."

Shaikha Fatima appreciated the steps that have been taken to empower women in terms of their rights and duties as well their role in the national and international arenas.

"Despite the gains made by the determination of the UAE woman in serving as Cabinet Ministers, members of the Federal National Council, government officials, working in other public sector institutions and the private sector, as well as the government's support enshrining the right of women in all fields through legislations, there is a huge responsibility on our shoulders to take this empowerment further," she said.

Significant

Shaikha Fatima expressed "hope to use the progress achieved during the last three decades to provide more incentives for the UAE woman so that they can be significant partners in the sustainable development of the UAE and continue the march of development of the women community around the world as well".

The overview notes that the contribution of national women to the economy has increased significantly from 9.6 per cent in 1986 to 33.4 per cent in 2007, which approximately represents a 3.5 per cent of average annual growth.