Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, July 3rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

“Women and leadership support” was the topic of the Women Ramadan Council, which was organized by the Ministry of Interior (MoI), represented by the Law Respect Culture Bureau at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Interior, at the Police Officers’ Club in Abu Dhabi under the Slogan ‘2021…A Leadership Vision and Society Interaction’..

The MoI’s Ramadan Councils address topics and recommendations that contribute to promoting the efforts of development witnessed in UAE across all fields.

At the beginning of the session, Habiba Al Hosani, Director General of the Marriage Fund and head of the Council, extended her congratulations to the audience on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan. She prayed Allah Almighty to accept the attendees’ fasting, and support their charitable efforts for the sake of the future generations.

Alsaad Al Menhali, the council’s Media Director, said: “Diligent work, coupled with loyalty are the main characteristics of UAE women a feature of distinction among people. Strong will; high quality skills and excellent achievements help to achieve the desired goals. We all share the responsibility to build this country, promote its sovereignty, protect its achievements and build its future.”

Al Menhali added: “I quote Sheikh Zayed who said, ‘Nothing pleases me more than seeing UAE women achieve a distinctive position in society... Nothing should impede her progress’.”

Al Menhali continued:  “The UAE vision 2021 insists on the importance of building cohesive and prosperous families. This concept sheds light on an essential and vital issue, which stipulates that Respect for Emirati traditions should wholeheartedly support the emerging role of women and continue in helping them to achieve ever-greater empowerment in all spheres. Women will also gain greater opportunity to combine full participation in active life with the joy and fulfillment of motherhood.”

For her part, Habiba Al Hosani said: “Women complement the role of men within society, as a wife and as the teacher and nurturer of the next generation of men and women. Women’s role is not limited to motherhood; it is rather a partnership between the couple through constructive dialogue, in carrying out the tasks of upbringing children, taking decisions and building a cohesive family.”

Explaining the role of leadership in supporting and empowering women, Al Hosani added: “The leading ideas adopted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, May God have mercy on his soul, especially those related to women, have helped women to realize many achievements, and to attain positions that make them an example in the world and the envy of their counterparts in the region. Nonetheless, we need to forge ahead towards creativity and innovation, because plans require hard work and a sense of responsibility to be implemented. We need to get past the stereotypical traditional role and seek excellence, as we are now part of the decision-making process. Women make a significant contribution to the national workforce, including  30% in leadership positions, and 15% in specialized positions, such as  medicine, pharmacy and engineering; while their share is as high as 39% in government jobs. In business, statistics show that the size of investment in the UAE by Emirati women has passed the dozen billion dirhams. Women in our country receive support before they even ask for it and get more than they expect. The UAE is also among the most advanced countries in the world for reducing the gender gap.”

Major Amina Mohammed Khamis Al Bloushi, Chairwoman of the Emirates Women Police Association and Regional Director for Women Police in the Middle East region, highlighted the support of the police leadership to women working in the police force by empowering them and providing them with equal opportunities to work in all positions and divisions without gender discrimination. Al Bloushi said: “Women are also supported and encouraged to seek higher studies  and obtain higher degrees, thanks to the police leadership that has provided them  with the proper environment to allow  women obtain  doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees . The Emirates Women Police Association played an important role in enhancing self and professional development for its members by enrolling them in training and development courses; ultimately achieving a prominent presence amongst world associations. And even though the association was built on individuals efforts, it has thrived to become a role model for global associations, thanks to the support of the higher leadership that granted full trust to women police members.”

Commenting on the working woman's role and her success as a mother and a wife, despite the obstacles, First Lieutenant Sheikha Al Zaabi, Coordinator at Guards and Special Tasks Department at Women Police elaborated on the challenges that face the working mother in general, and especially the police woman. She noted that women need to carry out her occupational and household duties in the best possible way, sometimes at the expense of her psychological and physical health. She added that this particular challenge is the key incentive that prompts women to prove their worth both around the house and at work, in light of the positive change in the stereotypical image of policewomen. She also indicated that children of working mothers achieve better academic and professional results, and are the most understanding and proud of their mothers’ work, which  serves the benefit of the country and society.

For her part, Sergeant Zainab Salim Al Hammadi, Coordinator at Western Region Police Directorate, highlighted the leadership’s role and support that allowed her to obtain her bachelor degree in Media and Public Relations, although she was in charge of 10 brothers and of caring for a mother with special needs. She added that her siblings have all achieved excellent results in their studies and work, particularly her sister, Maryam Al Hammadi, who is the first Emirati woman to reach the South Pole. “This clearly shows that, with little support, women can overcome any difficulties and challenges,” she said.

In response to those who regard women’s success a personal one, Lieutenant Hamdah Ali Al Badi, Head of Training and Development Committee at the Emirates Women Police Association (EWPA), said that women have entered all fields of work; she is a pilot in the air force and a Navy Seal. Women have left their mark in the training and development fields; where they are in charge of training both men and women.  Additionally, women have achieved significant success in awareness campaigns carried out at universities and government institutions, in addition to her participation in supporting refugees in camps and other humanitarian work.

In addition to that, Senior Administrator (Civilian) Asmaa Mohamed Al Oufi, Member at EWPA, praised the UAE Government support, commitment, and encouragement for creativity and innovation. She also indicated that she has been awarded the Ideal Employee Award. She also explained that all MoI’s employees show a high level of national consciousness at work, in a bid to requite the generosity of the country. Although she is a mother of seven children, some of whom work in the police force, she is still dreaming of seeking further education and higher degrees benefitting from the Police General Headquarters’ support and encouragement for female staff to seek additional academic achievements.

The council’s moderator asked Milan Sharif, Legal Counselor at the Law Respect Culture Bureau, the following questions: “How could the Emirati woman achieve humanitarian balance for all Emiratis through her success? How could she achieve the coveted stability in light of the changing requirements of life?”  Ms. Sharif said  that “occupational and community  security enjoyed by women in the UAE, coupled with the legislations that helped create a suitable work environment, have helped working women feel stability, unlike unemployed women.  Regardless of time and work pressures, they get to spend quality time with their families to compensate care and tenderness. Working women in the UAE are no longer an exception; they have become a reality clearly demonstrated in their many achievements and challenges.” She continued: “The UAE society is now more understanding of working women; she is the policewoman, the judge, and the minister; achievements and successes that would never have come to light without the support of the leadership and the rapid development in all fields, especially laws and legislations.”

Even though some regions are adamant about traditions and customs, women have managed to succeed; how would you explain that? Another question asked by the council’s moderator to Mrs. Amal Al Nuaimi, legal advisor at the Law Culture Respect Bureau, and the first detective at the Legal Affairs Section of Al Ain Police. Mrs. Amal Al Nuaimi indicated that her work as a detective is an interesting and challenging experience. “I have managed to to overcome this fear in record time, thanks to the moral support I received from my superiors and colleagues,” she said. She also gave an overview of her experience of working with the Law Culture Respect Bureau and the unlimited support of the Police leadership, which makes her happy with this great experience.

Participants at the council also tackled the role of the Marriage Fund in identifying the spinster crisis in the UAE. Statistics have shown that 59% of the Emirati men want to   marry foreign women, while others are reluctant to marry.  They called upon the Marriage Fund to look beyond providing marriage requirements and awareness courses and seek to find radical solutions to all problems related to this issue.

The women’s council was attended by a large gathering of Emirati dignitaries, representatives of Arab newspapers and magazines, and a large number of policewomen. The council recommended the need to review retirement age in accordance with the needs of the family and in a way that enhances mothers’ role in caring for their children at the critical stages of their age. The council also recommended providing equal opportunities for both unemployed and working women, and supporting them with legislations and personal status law. Moreover, the council recommended that the Marriage Fund should undertake a greater role and to identify the reasons behind spinsterhood in the UAE and why young Emirati men are reluctant to get married, or why they prefer to marry foreign women. It also requested that the UAE Vision 2021 provide a much clearer overview of women’s issues, status and needs, whether they were housewives or working women.

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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