A right step in women's direction

'Investing in the Future' (IFFMENA), a conference that aims to offset the negative cultural stereotypes that hinder women's progress in the region, is underway in Sharjah.

Emirati women are the drivers of the country's economic and social development said His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. He was talking during the opening session of the second edition of 'Investing in the Future' (IFFMENA), a conference that aims to offset the negative cultural stereotypes that hinder women's progress in the region.
The two-day conference is being organised by the Big Heart Foundation, a Sharjah-based international humanitarian body, in collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), under the theme 'Building the Resilience of Women and Girls in the Arab Region.' The event focusses on advocacy for Arab women and the girl child by building their capacity and increasing their opportunities available to them.
The event was attended by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Rula Bibi Gul Ghani, First Lady of Afghanistan and wife of Afghani President Dr Mohammed Ashraf Ghani; Kailash Satyarthi, Indian child rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner; Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace laureate; and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive-director of UN Women. Numerous activists, gender equality advocates, representatives from government and non-government organisations, decision-makers, academics, experts and media professionals from the Arab region and beyond were also in attendance.
Addressing the conference Dr Shaikh Sultan said: "I would like to draw your attention to facts that make us proud in the UAE. Women represent 49 per cent of the United Arab Emirates' population yet dominate our national job market with a 66 per cent presence - this is something we take immense pride in. This trend continues in our public offices, where women fill up two-thirds of the seats at both at federal and local levels."
He added that Emirati women have investment exceeding Dh12 billion, and that empowering women economically requires seriousness and great efforts.
With regards education, the illiteracy rate among women has been reduced by 7.3 per cent in 2015. Women in the UAE occupy various positions in the UAE and work side by side with men.
Delivering the keynote address, Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, highlighted how women's role in building the region had historically been overlooked and said it was the responsibility of every UAE official to stress the importance of inclusiveness in every aspect of life.
The audience was then treated to a video containing a call to action to the world from Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, which highlighted the importance of investing in the future of women.
"There are women in many parts of the world who continue to live in societies and under laws that do not recognise their importance nor support them," said Shaikha Jawaher during the presentation.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Sharjah