Women in UAE parliament express pride in country's #1 global ranking

Abu Dhabi - Fifty per cent of the UAE's 40-member Federal National Council are women.

Female members of the Federal National Council (FNC) expressed pride in the UAE's achievement as the No. 1 country in the world when it comes to women's representation in parliament. 
Fifty per cent of the UAE's  40-member FNC are women, following the landmark decree issued by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in December 2018. 
The country's number 1 global ranking for female representation in parliament is just one of the 23 indicators, in which the UAE leads the world, according to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2020.
Sara Mohammad Amin Falaknaz, FNC member from Dubai said it was another milestone that the UAE has crossed through its leadership and its people. 
"We, as daughters of the UAE, are immensely proud of our nation and the huge efforts of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in championing women and empowering them to reach the highest ranks within our various industries," she said.
"We are proud of the impact achieved by the equal representation of women in the federal council, in helping boost the UAE's position in numerous global indices."
Highlighting the UAE's global achievements, FNC member Maryam Majid Bin Theneya said the accomplishment is a result of a "powerful long-term vision" to make the country a world leader in all aspects of life.
"When we look at women empowerment in the UAE, we see that it starts from the leadership that believed in them and believed in their capabilities  to be part of this country's development."
The female legislator said the UAE's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, had always believed that women are men's equal partners in this country.  
"It doesn't refer only to women who are in the work force, as it also includes housewives, whose contributions are recognised," said Bin Theneya.
Azza Suleiman, a former member of the FNC, said women have been among the decision-makers in government offices, with some heading ministries and public departments.  
"All thanks to the UAE's visionary leaders who changed the traditional view of the role of women in the Emirates, and created a unique environment that stimulates positivity and innovation, extending all opportunities to support women and creating more," she said.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Abu Dhabi