HE Abdulrahman bin Mohammad Al Owais
HE Abdulrahman bin Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention (MoHAP)stressed the wise directives of the UAE leadership to empower women has realized outstanding milestones including the UAE’s being ranked number one in the world for treating women with respect.
The UAE has also topped the regional countries in the Gender Equality Index, according to the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Report, in a historic milestone through which the UAE reaps the fruits of 50 years of initiatives and laws that support women, the minister said.
Speaking on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Al Owais emphasized that the UAE will make every effort to empower women to realize the country’s aspirations for the next 50 years
“Emirati women can be seen now in all government departments. Today, they hold 9 ministerial portfolios and half of the seats in the Federal National Council are held by Emirati women. They are engaged in decision-making positions and assuming senior posts in all vital sectors, including health, economy and education.
This reaffirms one fact that supporting and empowering Emirati women is being done based on a comprehensive and integrated vision, and national plans to actively involve them in designing the future, building the nation, and promoting their roles as an indispensable partner in the country’s journey towards development and innovation,” the minister said.
He stressed the importance of the directives issued by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and the "Mother of the Nation" to launch and implement strategies to empower women, foster their capabilities and expands their development contribution to maintain the social fabric and cohesion and build a strong and cohesive society capable of keeping pace with emerging changes.
HE Dr. Mohammad Salim Al Olama
HE Dr. Mohammad Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) stressed that the UAE’s celebration of International Women’s Day comes to commemorate the country’s pioneering experience in women’s empowerment and gender balance and equality.
“The UAE’s experience has undoubtedly attracted the world’s attention thanks to thanks to the forward-looking vision of our wise leadership, which has been keen since the establishment of the Union to empower women, and assist them in every step of the way towards top ranks locally, regionally and internationally,” Al Olama said.
“The Emirati women have been worthy of the leadership trust. They worked very hard and with complete sincerity and dedication to drive the country’s development journey forward, and today, they have become an indispensable partner in the sustainable building of UAE institutions,” he added.
“On this occasion, we proudly remember the strenuous efforts and milestones made by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and the "Mother of the Nation" to empower women and we highly appreciate Her Highness’s pioneering role and record of achievements, visions and initiatives that contributed to improving the status of Emirati women, making her an essential partner in the country’s civilized renaissance”.
Al Olama lauded the great achievements made by the ministry’s female employees, as well as their team spirit, excellence, high professionalism and relentless efforts to provide the best they can.
“The ministry of health is very proud to have hard-working Emirati women whose success stories have been a source of inspiration and we don’t forget they have made great efforts in the fight against the pandemic and its repercussions. They also played a pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s recovery from the pandemic to continue the journey towards achievements and leadership and this is highly appreciated,” Al Olama added.
International Women’s Day - Ministry of Health and Prevention commemorates women's achievements and vital role
The International Women’s Day is an occasion to celebrate women’s achievements and highlight their influential role in supporting the sustainable development of all countries and societies. The UAE has made great strides in the field of political and economic empowerment of women, following in the footstep of the steadfast approach laid down by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and accordingly provided equal opportunities for both men and women in all walks of life including education, health care and career advancement.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is proud of the achievements made by its female employees and highly appreciates their team spirit, high professionalism and ongoing efforts to provide the best they can to ensure the success of the ministry's initiatives and implement its strategy aiming to establish a world-class health system.
MoHAP is one of the top government entities where women constitute a considerable percentage within its cadre, assuming leadership positions across various departments and sections. This stems from the ministry’s firm belief and confidence in their abilities to play a pivotal role in cementing the UAE health sector and achieve the aspirations and plans of the wise leadership.
Empowering women
Speaking on the occasion, Wedad Bu Humaid, Director of the Government Communications Department, MoHAP, who just recently won the Prime Minister's Medal for the field of Government Communication, said that the UAE's celebration of International Women's Day is nothing but a recognition of women's achievements and influential role in supporting the sustainable development nationwide.
“The UAE has been proactive in empowering women and strengthening their contributions with Emirati women becoming now an indispensable part of all national programs. They have contributed to developing various national strategies including the UAE vision for the next 50. This would not have been possible had it not been for the wise leadership's keenness and directives to bolster women’s contribution and achieve gender balance,” Bu Humaid added.
Positive work environment
For her part, Dr. Nada Hasan Al Marzouqi, Director of MoHAP's Preventive Medicine Department, said: “Every year, the UAE celebrates the International Women's Day to express its pride in the achievements made by Emirati women and to highlight their vital role and outstanding contributions to the country's renaissance and sustainable progress.
“During the past 50 years, Emirati women have strengthened their presence in all fields, including the health sector, which enabled the UAE to surpass many countries in the world in empowering women and enhancing their active participation. Since day one, Emirati women have been a key part of the most prominent achievements made by the UAE. And at MoHAP, the positive work environment provided to all employees contributed to highlighting the importance and vital role played by female cadres in developing health strategies and programs, supporting the ministry's objective of creating a healthy and happy society,” Al Marzouqi noted.
Partners in UAE’s renaissance
Meanwhile, Dr. Alya Harbi, Director of Statistics & Research Center at the ministry, said: “Since the day the UAE was established, Emirati women played an instrumental role in supporting the country’s renaissance and were as committed as ever to giving the nation the best they can,”.
“Just recently, the European Parliament spoke highly of the UAE experience in the field of women's empowerment and gender balance, thanks to the wise leadership support provided to all women, which fueled their sense of responsibility towards their country and helped double their contributions to supporting the country’s progress and prosperity. With that in mind, the ministry of health spares no effort to empower women and enhance their productivity and well-being,” Harbi stated.
Regional leadership
Fatima Al Muhairi, Director of Human Resources Department at the ministry, emphasized that the International Women's Day, which falls on March 8 of every year, comes at a time when the UAE is progressing ahead towards regional leadership in gender balance, one of the remarkable results of the empowerment and development programs launched by the country over past fifty years.
“Emirati women have become the mainstay of the country’s development process and sustainable development, bearing noble responsibilities to innovate, lead and make achievements in all fields. Without a doubt, this has made them a global role model to be emulated,” Al Muhairi added.