Sheikha Fatima receives RCOG Honorary Fellowship

ABU DHABI – Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation,

By (Wam)

Published: Thu 10 Dec 2009, 12:24 AM

Last updated: Tue 10 Jan 2023, 10:05 AM

Chairwoman of the General Womens Union (GWU)and Head of the Supreme Council for Maternity and childhood, received today the Honorary Fellowship from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

The coveted fellowship was awarded to Sheikha Fatima today by Dr. Maggie Blott, RCOG Vice President - Education, during a ceremony held today at Al Bahr Palace.

Sheikha Fatima expressed pleasure at receiving the fellowship, which is conferred on her in recognition of outstanding contributions and commitment to women and women’s health.

Sheikha Fatima also welcomed holding of the RCOG’s 8th International Scientific Meeting at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, stressing the event’s importance for the family planning efforts and for the women in the UAE and the world.

The ceremony was attended by Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Khalwal bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, wife of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Presidential Aviation Authority, Sheikha Al Yaziah bint Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, wife of Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.E. Dr Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, Noura Al Suwaidi, Director of GWU, Dr Mariam Al Mazrouei, Director of Medical Affairs at SEHA and a number of women officials.

Dr Maggie Blott delivered the following speech:

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I am here today on behalf of The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to award your Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Honorary Fellowship of the RCOG, in recognition of your huge contribution to improving the wellbeing of women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Honorary Fellowship, the highest award of the Royal College is conferred rarely in recognition of outstanding contributions and commitment to women and women’s health. Previous recipients of this award include Queen Elizabeth, the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen mother and the late Princess Diana.

Your Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak is known for her leadership and dedicated commitment in promoting the welfare and wellbeing of women in the UAE. In 1973, you founded the Abu Dhabi Women’s Society, which was the first women’s society in the United Arab Emirates. In 1975, you founded the United Arab Emirates Women’s Federation. This organisation was developed to facilitate opportunities for women to realise their full potential through education and training.

Your Highness has been an active advocate on issues related to women’s equality and rights. You are a role model across the Arab World and have inspired many through your efforts to improve the wellbeing of children, orphans, the aged and the disabled. You are instrumental in providing free state education to girls and ensuring adult literacy in the UAE. Among your contributions to women’s health, you have helped to identify the need for specialist medical care, including the implementation of breast screening which will undoubtedly save many lives.

The excellent Al Corniche Hospital, was only made possible because of your efforts and advocacy and we are today pleased to announce the introduction of the first ever formal overseas educational links with the Royal College.

I am delighted that the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has this wonderful opportunity to recognize your commitment, dedication, and generosity. We look forward to establishing a closer working relationship with your Highness and the Minister of Health. It is with great pleasure therefore that I present you with this most prestigious award , the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College.

The RCOG is proud to recognise the important contribution of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak to women’s health, and applauds her ongoing efforts to promote women’s equality and rights in the UAE.

She was followed by Dr Mariam Al Mazrouei who said that Sheikha Fatima was awarded the fellowship in recognition of her support and efforts in the wellbeing of both women and families in the UAE.

The three-day RCOG International Scientific Meeting in Abu Dhabi was attended by 1,500 specialists from different parts of the world. Plenary speakers tackled up-to the minute topics that should be of interest to everyone, while the more specialized areas were covered by equally eminent speakers organized into four streams, themed such as Fetomaternal; Gynaecology; Gynae Cancer and Education and Ethics.