Thursday marked the 10th anniversary of a move taken by the member countries of the United Nations (UN) in favor of gender equality and empowerment for women – the formation of United Nations Organization for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, UN Women.
The UAE has close and growing relations with UN Women as the country was a member of the Executive Board of UN Women from 2013 to 2019 and also took over the Board’s presidency in 2017.
During this time, the UAE ensured regular financial support to promote the global empowerment of women, and in 2016, under the patronage of H.H.Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the UN Women Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi.
Ms. Sheikha Fatima is the Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, GWU (General Women’s Union), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), in partnership with the GWU and the President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Abu Dhabi had launched its “Women, Peace and Security” program through which over 350 women completed two editions of their curriculum and also graduated successfully in 2019 and 2020 even amidst the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
While speaking on the occasion Noura Al Suwaidi, Director of the GWU, said, “The establishment of UN Women is a milestone for women around the world. It is the first organization established by the international community to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment.”
She praised the UAE for its awareness of the importance of these efforts, noting the country’s women’s empowerment since its establishment on 2nd December 1971. The country’s leadership and the directives of Sheikha Fatima were also recognized by the international organization.
“Our close cooperation with UN Women is proof of the vision of the UAE’s leadership, which prioritizes women, to enable them to achieve overall success,” she further added.
In 2019 alone, UN Women has offered legal assistance to over 150,000 people, and 509,000 women and girls received humanitarian aid. Also, 82 laws and policies were introduced IN nearly 40 countries to empower women politically in the same year. The UN also assisted survivors of abuse in 49 nations.
UN Women has partnered with governments, private sector organizations and societies to draft laws, legislation, programs and services aimed at increasing women’s political participation, enhancing women’s economic empowerment, promoting the role of women in peace and security and ending violence against women.
