Business & Money | Sunday 28 August, 2016 1:52 pm |

Marking the Emirati Women’s Day initiated by H.H. 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, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry dedicated its monthly staff gathering to honour Emirati women for their great contributions in the country’s development.

 

Held at the Chamber premises on Sunday during the monthly staff gathering, the Emirati Women’s Day under the theme, "Women and Innovation" was attended by H.E. Azza bin Suleiman, Member of Federal National Council, Dubai Chamber officials and staff members.

H.E. Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber, said that the Emirati Women’s Day coincides with the founding of the General Women's Union in 1975 by the Mother of the Nation H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak for empowering women and promoting the vision of the leadership in supporting and encouraging women in various spheres of life.

 

He added that the Emirati women have been very successful under the support and patronage of the country’s wise leadership right from the founder of the Federation of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who was keen on the empowerment of women in all fields and to help them overcome difficulties and achieve remarkable success in the society. 

 

In his welcome address, Essa Al Zaabi, Senior Vice-President, Institutional Support Sector, Dubai Chamber, said that the Emirati women have been performing extremely well by making their mark in professional life and carving an impressive career path for themselves.

 

He added that the FNC today has nine women members including the Speaker which makes up 22.5% of total members while the Emirati women in the government sector occupy 66% of the jobs including 3% in senior positions associated with decision-making and 15% holding specialised academic jobs. In the economic sector, 22,000 businesswomen are affiliated members of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry, running businesses to the value of AED 42 billion, said Al Zaabi.

 

Thanking the female staff members of the Chamber for their contribution to the organisation and the emirate, Al Zaabi informed that the Chamber offers all the facilities and support to women staff, especially young graduates to train and hone their talent to become professionals in the work place.

 

He urged women staff members to work hand-in-hand with their brothers in the economic growth and development of the organisation and the country.

 

On her part, H.E. Azza bin Suleiman, who talked about achieving her personal goals in life as well as the opportunities the UAE offered to the women of the country in various fields, said: “The UAE leadership encourages women right from obtaining basic education to professional qualifications, job placement and career advancement in their choice of professions as a result of which today we see women occupying top positions in various organisations while contributing to the advancement of the country.” 

 

She called upon the Emirati women to pursue their goals positively and to excel in whatever type of profession they take up.