Ajman, March 21, 2015: In line with the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs (MFNCA) initiatives to promote the culture of political participation among women, the ministry in collaboration with the General Women's Union organised a seminar on the topic 'Women and the National Council - the Process of Empowerment' today at Umm Al Moumineen Association in Ajman.

The seminar included the presentation of two papers. The first paper on 'The Federal National Council and the March of Empowerment' was presented by His Excellency Dr. Saeed Al Ghafli Assistant Undersecretary for Federal National Council Affairs in MFNCA, while the second on 'Political Empowerment of Emirati Women' was presented by Ahlam  Al Lamki, Director of Research and Development at the General Women's Union.

Commenting on the seminar, H.E. Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, stressed the ministry is keen to intensify its efforts to cooperate with all civil sector organisations to involve their active participation in the political empowerment process.

H.E. Lootah added: "The Ministry has prioritised empowerment of women and is focused on efforts to make them aware about political participation. The Ministry is working with the leading institutions in the country to encourage the culture of political participation among women and enable them to assume responsible positions."

H.E. Dr. Al Ghafli highlighted in his presentation the empowerment programme launched by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, stating that the programme has given the Federal National Council a comprehensive regulatory and legislative role. The FNC has an important role in supporting the executive in taking the best decisions and enacting better legislation that take into account the key issues facing the nation, H.E. Dr. Al Ghafli added.

Pointing to the process of empowerment of women, H.E. Dr. Al Ghafli said women have been key participants in the FNC. The council has appointed eight women members in 2006 and six in 2011 while one elected woman is the First Deputy Chairman of the Council.

In her presentation, Ahlam Al Lamki highlighted training and capacity building as critical to the political participation of women. Al Lamki pointed out that Emirati women occupy leadership positions in the state as a result of the support provided by the wise leadership of the UAE, and called on Emirati women to attain the tools and knowledge required to become real partners in the political process.

H.E. Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director of the General Women's Union, said: "Our wise leadership supports women in the country, enabling them to achieve higher levels of social and economic contributions, compared to women in other countries. Women in the UAE have been able to reach top career positions and at the same time maintain their identity and culture."

H.E. Al Suwaidi added: "The General Women's Union is keen ensure that women in the UAE reach greater heights and attain bigger achievements in 2021. In this direction, we are promoting women's issues and encouraging international best practices in the field of empowerment of women."

An open discussion that followed the presentations took up several questions from the audience, and witnessed significant interaction and detailed responses from the speakers.

© Press Release 2015