Zayed charted a leading role for women in society

At a time when it was taboo for women to step out of the house, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan opened the door of education to them.

He insisted that they travel abroad to pursue education and later be employed in managerial positions. Some women to whom Shaikh Zayed granted scholarships nearly two decades ago reminisce.

Hussa Al Khaldy, a prominent businesswomen, said: "Shaikh Zayed always believed that there is no difference between a man and a woman. He insisted that women should be educated and work. And because there were no colleges and universities in the UAE at that time, Shaikh Zayed stunned the people by insisting that we be educated. And the only option was to send us abroad until a solid educational system was developed. He always emphasised that men and women are equal and can only be differentiated by their efforts and hard work. In 1974, he sent me to a private school in London to continue my studies."

Remembering Shaikh Zayed's support, she said: "At the time there was only Umm Ammar School and while I was in school he used to attend all our functions. He was there at every graduation, at every school party and event. He was always smiling and very happy when he saw his students receiving their degrees. He was the proud father seeing his children graduate."

Recalling an incident with Shaikh Zayed she said: "I was once shaking his hand and he said: "This is not the hand of a woman, this is the hand of a woman that is equal to 20 men." It was because of Shaikh Zayed that I never felt that any man was better than me or that I couldn't do something because I was a woman.

"Shaikh Zayed had many attributes. He was wise and had a philosophy in life. You can compile books on his sayings. He was always humble, he loved his people Arabs and almost everyone. In all the time I knew him, he never changed. The presidency and wealth never changed him. He was always the same man who dressed the same and walked with the people with no guards or security.

"When he was in his car, he always stopped and asked the people if they were okay, if they needed anything and if they were happy. He was approachable and it was easy to talk to him, not like most Presidents today."

Rauda Al Muttawa, head of the National Businesswomen's Council, said the relationship Shaikh Zayed shared with his people was like a father and his children.

"What Shaikh Zayed has given to women cannot be counted and women would not have been where they are today without his support. Everything we have achieved, we owe to Shaikh Zayed. He was the number one supporter of education and opened the door of education to women. He pushed women towards occupying leadership positions. Shaikh Zayed was determined to change prevailing ideas like women should not be educated and their place is in the house."

She said it was Shaikh Zayed who made her assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Education.

Remembering some of Shaikh Zayed's advice, she said: "He told me once that a normal person is a person who looks ahead because a person is naturally in a state of development. Those who do not develop themselves do not deserve to live because they don't add anything to life."

Recalling one incident, she said Shaikh Zayed held her hand while she was teaching in Ras Al Khaimah, telling her she was worth 10,000 women.

Maitha Al Shamsi, Vice President of UAE University, said Shaikh Zayed built the UAE from nothing. "We have become an educated, developed nation and a federation because of Shaikh Zayed. Because of Shaikh Zayed we have now become a united and strong country that can compete with Western countries in every sense."

She added that Shaikh Zayed's support for women is evident in every sphere.

"I was one of the hundreds who were employed by a direct order from the late president." She said 25 years ago, few believed in the importance of educating women, but Shaikh Zayed had insisted that she be the director of the department.

Shaikh Zayed once told her that it was easy to find a person who works hard, but it is difficult to find a person who is sincere in his work.