The Ministry of Interior (MoI) celebrated the Emirati Women's Day held under the title Women Are the Icons of Tolerance at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. The event is organized under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Chairwoman of the Motherhood and Childhood Supreme Council, Mother of the Nation.
The celebration was attended by Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaiaili, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior; Major General Salem Ali Mubarak Al Shamesi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry for Resources and Support Services; Major General Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Inspector General of the Ministry of Interior; and Major General Dr. Jassem Muhammad Al Marzouqui, Civil Defense General Commander-in-Chief at the Ministry of Interior; along with a number of officers and female staff from different sectors of the Ministry.
Major General Al Khaiaili gave a speech in which he conveyed the greetings of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, stressing His Highness’s continuous support to Emirati women and his keenness to promote their status and empower them in all fields. He also noted that the Emirati Women's Day celebrations reflect the firm belief of the UAE leadership in the importance of women’s contribution and their role in the country’s development, and recognize their efforts in supporting the UAE’s march inside the country and abroad.
He said, Celebrating the Emirati Women’s Day is an earned recognition of their years long efforts under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Chairwoman of the Motherhood and Childhood Supreme Council, Mother of the Nation. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak has set for Emirati young women a clear path that begins with ambition and ends with nothing is impossible’.
He added that Emirati women enjoy the unwavering appreciation and support of the wise leadership since the inception of the federation. He noted that the Founding Father and the Builder of the Modern UAE the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was always keen to support women, empower them, eliminate all obstacles hindering their progress, and recognize their rights.
Major General Al Khaiaili explained that this vision and wise leadership continued during the era of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; and His brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. He added that His Highness Sheikh Khalifa intensified the support provided to women by launching ambitious programs, and opened new doors for women in innovation and creativity so as to support the Emirati man in different fields. He noted that due to this, the Emirati woman was able to occupy the highest political, executive, legislative and leadership roles involved in setting strategies and making decisions.
He stressed that Emirati women proved and are still proving day after day their efficiency and excellence in all the missions assigned to them, thanks to the attention and keenness of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces who continued supporting Emirati women. He mentioned that Emirati women showed great presence and exceptional giving capabilities in serving their country in different fields including their participation in the front lines of police, security, armed forces and national service.
Major General Al Khaiaili noted that the MoI has extended to women in its forces a special attention through several supportive programs and initiatives to empower them, contribute to their excellence at work and enable them to best perform their national duty. He explained that Emirati women in the police and the army forces proved their ability to perform their tasks with strength and courage, and that they were partners of their male counterparts in preserving the achievements and accomplishments of our beloved country.
In her remarks, Major Amina Mohamed Al Baloushi, Chairperson of the Emirates Women Police Association, stressed that the Emirati women’s achievements are the culmination of the care and attention granted by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Chairwoman of the Motherhood and Childhood Supreme Council, Mother of the Nation. She added that they are a result of the Her Highness Keenness to ensure that all requirements and opportunities are in place to elevate women’s level and provide a suitable environment for them to participate on a wider scale. She noted that this contributed to turning the UAE into a distinguished model globally in the field of women empowerment and ensuring their active engagement.
Major Al Baloushi explained that when it comes to extending care to women, and as part of the efforts exerted under the directions of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, we witnessed the launch of the National Strategy for The Empowerment and Leadership of Women in the UAE 2015-2021. This strategy provides the general framework for federal and local governments and civil society institutions to develop their own plans and programs to provide a decent life for women through qualifying and empowering them to be actively involved in the sustainable development process.
She extended her deep gratitude to Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, for his support and attention to female police members to achieve balance between both genders. She also highlighted that the MoI’s attention was a head start in the country for adopting initiatives that empower women through the Specialized Coordination Committee for Women Police Affairs at the Ministry of Interior. The committee was preceded by the establishment of the Emirates Women Police Association that became in record time a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP), headquartered in the USA. The IAWP was established more than 100 years ago, and its members include many countries around the world. The UAE is the first Arab country to join IAWP and the 26’s member in the world. Abu Dhabi was chosen as the Middle Easts’ Headquarters for IAWP.
Major Al Baloushi also pointed that women’s accomplishments in the UAE, which were made possible with genuine support and efforts, allowed many achievements and distinctions through their participation in different positions and responsibilities. The MoI leaderships and Police General Headquarters in the country played an active role in supporting female members and granting them the opportunity to empower female staff to work professionally and successfully in different positions and responsibilities. We celebrate women and their achievements in the MoI Today, which coincides with the celebration of the Emirati Woman Day all over the country in honor of women’s accomplishments at the MoI.