Tributes have been paid to the historically important role Emirati women have played in shaping UAE society.

A panel of speakers at the fifth Sharjah Ramadan Majlis, which opened on Sunday, said Emirati women’s fierce loyalty to their identity, faith and Arab and Islamic values made them role models for others.

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said the late Sheikh Zayed’s vision and leadership had provided the “blueprint” for women’s empowerment by making it a key element of the country’s constitution, reported Wam, the state news agency.

“There would be no women’s empowerment without the critical support provided by the political leadership,” said the minister.

“Today statistics are not needed to understand the progress of women in the UAE. Reality speaks for itself.”

Sheikh Zayed formed the Women’s Union in the UAE, helping women to progress within society with the creation of various organisations and institutes through the union, she said.

Ms Al Kaabi also lauded the patronage and support provided by the Mother of the Nation Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

She was speaking at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah during the first session of the Ramadan Majlis in the presence of a number of senior UAE and Sharjah government officials, scholars, media and dignitaries.

Khawla Al Mulla, chairperson of Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC), said the empowerment of women was based on the clear vision provided by the UAE’s Constitution and the conscious decision of the country’s leadership.

She praised Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, for amending the SCC charter to appoint four women to the council.

Other dignitaries present included Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre; Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Media Centre; Dr Mona Al Bahar, Acting chief executive of Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and Aisha Sultan, founder and director of Dar Waraq Publishing House, Dubai.

Source: thenational.ae