Sheikha Fatima meets Bahrain's first lady, attends unveiling of Arab Women Plaza

Tunis, 30 Oct. 2010 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, President of the General Women's Union and Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation visited last night Bahrain's First Lady HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa at her residence in Tunis on the sidelines of the third Arab Women Organisation (AWO)'s conference themed "Arab Woman: An Essential Partner in the March of Sustainable Development " held in Tunisia under the patronage of the Tunisian First Lady and current AWO's President Leila bin Ali.

Sheikha Fatima praised the efforts being made by Princess Sabeeka to integrate women's needs in the development march, wishing all success for the project which, she asserted, will be an example to be followed by other Arab countries. .

Bahrain News Agency said HRH Princess Sabeeka hailed the tremendous efforts exerted by the UAE, during Shaikha Fatima's presidency of AWO's previous session, to support Arab women causes, stressing the importance of including women in development plans and projects.

She also highlighted the need to boost joint Arab women action for the sake of gaining more achievements, wishing every success for the AWO's third conference. She also congratulated Shaikha Fatima on being appointed as an Extraordinary Goodwill Ambassador at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Meanwhile, Sheikha Fatima attended launching of the 'Arab Women Plaza' in Tunis by Mrs. Leila bin Ali to commemorate the 3rd conference of the Arab Women Organisation.

The ceremony was also attended by the first ladies Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak of Egypt, HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Mrs. Wafa Suleiman of Lebanon, Mrs. Amina Abbas of Palestine, and Mr. Widad Babiker of Sudan and heads of delegations.

Part of the Plaza is a metal sundial surrounded by arrows to symbolise aspirations of Arab women, with Arabic inscription that reads: Arab Women.