Dubai: The first-ever Mother of the Nation Festival is under way in Abu Dhabi and the initiative is to thank Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation and Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, for a life dedicated to the UAE’s progress. The festival, which started yesterday, runs till April 2.
Thanks to her timely and far-sighted efforts, the UAE today is hailed the world over as a role model for women’s empowerment in the Arab world.
A lucid, detailed and engaging tribute as well as a labour of love, the book is an important document that defines the achievements and all-encompassing vision of Shaikha Fatima.
The book’s jacket states, “Her Highness has achieved a series of fundamental shifts and achievements, particularly in terms of the empowerment of women, by elevating their social status which, in turn, has contributed to the national development of the UAE.”
Dr Al Shamsi elucidates on these contributions that range from the field of education, women’s work, motherhood and childhood care, health and social care, and women’s engagement in development, to humanitarian stances and initiatives.
In the book’s preface, Dr Al Shamsi writes, “The United Arab Emirates has witnessed a women’s renaissance that has been admired and appreciated on local, regional and international levels. The renaissance has been characterised by its solid foundations and varied constituents. It has provided scope for sustainable achievement growth. The result has been a bright present and an assured prosperous future. With all pride and honour, history shall immortalise the name of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, as the founder and leader of this renaissance.”
The book then moves on to document Shaikha Fatima’s ground-breaking vision in education. A staunch believer in education as an instrument of change, Shaikha Fatima’s views on it are legion for their timeless wisdom and acuity. ‘I wish to see a day where illiteracy in the UAE and Arab World is entirely eradicated. Education is the window of opportunity for women to participate in national civilisation and to keep pace with development and progress and to continue uplifting our society,’ she (Shaikha Fatima) had said.
“Her commitment to this cause and the national initiatives she has launched over the years have stood the UAE in good stead as it has seen a globally acknowledged trajectory of progress in women’s education.”
As Dr Al Shamsi says, “Today, the percentage of women in higher education is approximately 72 of the total students in public universities and approximately 50 of total students in private universities and institutes.”
The book offers exhaustive details of Shaikha Fatima’s role in the advancement of women and how it has resulted in far-reaching advantages for the UAE and the Arab region.
“Today the country is number one in the Mena region in terms of gender equality, as stated in the World Economic Forum’s report, October 2013. Statistics indicate that women today constitute 43 per cent of the labour force in the UAE,” writes Dr Al Shamsi.
In the area of motherhood and childhood care, areas that are at the core of women’s welfare, Shaikha Fatima’s contributions are legion. Her commitment to this cause is fully reflected in her words: “If indeed we aspire for our society to be a well-educated and learned one, we must start with children. We must feed them knowledge and culture along with milk.”
“Thanks to her ubiquitous role in furthering the interests of women and children, Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak has amassed numerous honorary titles and leadership roles, including Chairwoman of General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, President of Motherhood, Childhood Supreme Council and the Extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador for the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation. Her Highness utilised these powerful positions and connections to spearhead progressive, far-reaching initiatives,” writes Dr Al Shamsi.
Shaikha Fatima’s multitudinous efforts for women’s progress and advancing their rights were reaffirmed on March 7, 2015, International Women’s Day, when she gave an overview of the UAE’s accomplishments: “A comprehensive review of past years has revealed that the achievements at all levels have exceeded expectations ... The UAE has advanced to an elevated global position, with the world in awe of the gains achieved by Emirati women in such a short period of time,” Shaikha Fatima said, a reflection of her abiding belief in the power of a human being to affect change. This fact brought is to our attention by Dr Al Shamsi when she writes: “The central focus of Her Highness’ vision is the human being. She views human beings, both male and female, as the source of industry and progress ... Her Highness believes that creating a happy life is a process for everyone to master.”
The progress of the UAE, and its enviable place on the global stage as a country of dynamism, forethought and humanitarian ideals, is proof of how the UAE is working to create this happy life for all its people.
Awards in Shaikha Fatima’s name
In appreciation for women’s pioneering efforts and to encourage their lead in all fields with merit and capability, Shaikha Fatima has launched a number of awards in various fields and activities.
2014
Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Family Award.
2013
Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Community Creativity and Excellence Project as the first community project launched locally, regionally and internationally.
Launching and sponsoring the most beautiful garden competition, My Garden is My City, in cooperation with the Department of Municipal Affairs.
2012
Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Award for Sportive Women.
2011
Launching and sponsoring the Ideal Mother of Emirates Award.
2005
Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Ward for Arab Youth.
2004
Organising the Ladies Championship in the name of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak for Arabian Horses (Afhar).
2003
Launching Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Annual Award for Teaching Staff.
1997
Launching Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Award for Charity.
Tributes paid to Shaikha Fatima
“I commend the efforts that (Her Highness) Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak makes to bring happiness to the life of children and to improve the status of women in the United Arab Emirates, and I praise her initiatives in the areas of youth protection and spreading education and culture in the UAE and beyond.”
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
“I value and praise the role of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak in leading the Emirati women to achieve great accomplishments in various fields and her role in defending the rights of women and children in the United Arab Emirates. It is the role which has been acknowledged in all parts of the world, especially in the United Nations which cares for the welfare of women and children.”
Queen Sophia of Spain
“I am grateful for Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak and for her efforts to advance women’s status in the Emirati society; for her efforts to defend the rights of women to join higher education. As chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, she showed great commitment to health affairs, literacy and several issues that impact women, children and the family.”
Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General
“I would like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak for her efforts in women’s development and progress in the UAE and the Arab World and for strengthening the bonds between the women leaders in the world.”
Gu Xiulian, President of All-China Women’s Federation
