UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced the forming of the "UAE Gender Balance Council", a federal entity chaired by President of Dubai Women Establishment Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Wife of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The new body aims to boost UAE’s efforts to evolve and enhance women’s role as key partners in building the future of the nation.

Sheikh Mohammed declared the forming of the council while visiting "Toward Gender Balance in Governments", a plenary session chaired by Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed during the second day of the Government Summit in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid expressed his pride that the UAE is hosting this inductive dialogue on one of the most important issues concerning woman and contributes in granting her equal rights as equal partner.

Sheikh Mohammed said: "I am happy to be part of this discussion. We, in the United Arab Emirates, are keen to enable woman and put her in the right position. What we had discussed in this session will not end here. Therefore, I declare the forming of the "UAE Gender Balance Council" chaired by Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed." Expressing her profound appreciation for his unlimited support, Sheikha Manal said that Sheikh Mohammed has always been a strong defender of women’s rights, believed in her capabilities and viewed her as original element in UAE’s formula for development. Sheikh Manal bin Mohammed thanked Sheikh Mohammed for his directives to form the council and expressed gratitude for his precious trust put in her to chair a specialized centre endeavouring to achieve more equity between genders and carrying the legacy of the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a man that set example for empowering women and unleashing her potentials.

Sheikh Manal said the success of the Emirati women is the reap of Sheikh Zayed’s sow and the fruit of the efforts of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

President of Dubai Women Establishment asserted that the work will commence immediately to draft and articulate the new council’s frameworks, processes and strategies towards achieving the aspiring vision of our leadership.

While chairing "Toward Gender Balance in Governments" plenary session, Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed lauded UAE’s leadership for the care and support provided for women in various aspects of life. She said that equity between genders is a key element for societies’ success and prosperity and a prerequisite to achieve happiness, security and stability of its members.

Addressing a host of regional and international senior officials, Sheikha Manal said that the UAE has gone far in empowering women, quoting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: "We have moved beyond the phase of empowering women. Indeed, we are empowering society through women". Sheikh Manal Said: "The impact of a significant female presence in leadership roles has wide-ranging benefits on the economy, on governance, and on society at large. The UAE has always worked to dismantle barriers that create tension between the genders. We have a great opportunity to uncover new paths that we may walk on together".

Sheikh Manal also lauded the endless efforts of HH Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union and of the Family Development Foundation. She said that our greatest teacher and pioneer is the Mother of our Nation, wife of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. She worked alongside her husband and helped him shoulder the heavy responsibilities of building our nation.

"Toward Gender Balance in Governments" discussed number of important issues through three discussion panels. The session highlighted the significant role of Emirati women in developing the country and leadership’s approach in empowering women and engaging her in all aspects, including UAE’s international competitiveness. The session further discussed the balance between home and work, the overwhelming social and cultural patterns and the legislations related to achieving balance between genders.

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