28 August is Emirati Women’s Day

Gulf News – The achievements and milestones reached by Emirati women are integral to the success story of the UAE and its enviable place on the global platform.

Fired by their passion for nation-building and pursuing ambitions and goals that open new horizons for women empowerment, Emirati women have blazed many a trail.

To mark their exemplary spirit, courage and dynamism, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, announced August 28 as Emirati Women’s Day that celebrates the birth of the General Women’s Union on August 28, 1975.

The first celebration of Emirati Women’s Day was held in 2015. This year, the theme is ‘Women are partners in giving.’

Sheikha Fatima said the theme was adopted to reflect women’s role in the community welfare and in the success of the ‘Year of Giving’ initiative, launched by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

She added that the announcement of Sheikh Khalifa to mark 2017 as the Year of Giving, was an extension to the benevolent deeds of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision and approach were founded on giving to his people and to the humanity.

“The concept of giving is deep-rooted in the Emirati culture and the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan will always form the basis for the UAE’s message of peace and giving,” she said.

Shaikha Fatima noted that the new theme highlights social responsibility for all segments of the society, including women, who are key partners in the country’s drive for comprehensive development.

“There has been continuous attention to and advancement in the role of women, under the support of Sheikh Khalifa, especially in the recent years, where women’s issues across all areas and sectors have become a top priority for developmental policies,” she added.