Women urged to play positive role

Dubai: Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Women's Establishment (DWE) and wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, urged Arab women to fulfill their duties and play a positive role in the advancement of the country and the Arab world.

"A society can't achieve its goals if half of the population is inactive, she said at the opening ceremony of the Arab Women's Leadership Forum, a two-day conference organised by the Establishment.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the conference.

Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, attended the opening ceremony, alongside other prominent figures.

Shaikha Manal recalled the role of renowned women in Emirati society. She said that women today represent Arab women in international events. They are cultured, educated and respect their traditions.

She said that the challenges facing the world can only be resolved if the entire population is active and urged women to work harder and come up with innovative solutions to problems and assume more responsibilities to achieve advancement in the country and the Arab world.

Palestinian women are the symbol of the struggle of Arab women, she said. "In several Arab countries, women are still deprived of their roles and leadership. We sympathise with the Palestinian women, who are facing torture and displacement, and we reiterate our solidarity with them. We thank them because they stir in us feelings of pride and dignity.

"We do not seek to activate the role of women because of international attention or because we are emulating or seeking the admiration of others, but because our countries call for it and it is only we who can bring about the advancement of our own societies."

Shaikha Manal said that the accomplishments of Emirati women are numerous and impressive and range across a wide array of sectors. "We would not have organised this forum had we not been confident of our achievements and capabilities. We now have something to present and be proud of," she said.

She added: "These accomplishments could not have been completed were it not for the wisdom and willpower of the nation's leadership."

She said that Shaikh Mohammad's encouragement gave women a boost in society. "Shaikh Mohammad's courageous decisions opened the doors for Emirati women," she said.

Positive change

Mona Al Merri, Chairperson of the DWE Board of Directors and CEO of Media Services Group, said that the forum's importance lies in the interaction between high-profile influential leaders with researchers on national and international levels on the one hand, and in building associations with international organisations to change the perceptions of Arabs and Emiratis on the other.

How can women be enpowered to make more contributions to society? Do you know of a successful women who have made a difference in society?

Women represent patience, perserverence,strength and Love. A Woman is cable of completing all her obligations whether she is at work or at home. Women should be active and work for the well being of society as a whole.
Alifiya Tahir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 14:26

Women make up half of the society and they should not be neglected in any field. We should always be positive about their acts in society and should encourage their acts so that they could perform well.They are playing great roles at home and they should be given a chance to perform outside and they would be a great asset.
Uzma Amjad
Ajman,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 14:04

Any contribution to the society would benifit it.Women should be empowered and encouraged by their families to be well educated in order to be good role models for the coming generations.
Donya Saberi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 11:57

I personally feel that all women contribute to society directly or indirectly, in the sense of taking good care of their families. I am proud of seeing women in different fields today. My only concern in today?s world is that they are exploited in the name of development.
Farheen Kousar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 09:53