Forum highlights prominent role of Arab Women

Many Arab women ministers, ambassadors, and heads of women's organisations as well as 500 delegates from 30 Arab and foreign countries participated in the opening session.

Among them were women who excel in politics, economy, education, social service, media, and arts, along with businessmen working in fields related to women.

Al Iktissad Wal Aamal Group along with its magazine Al Hasnaa bestowed the forum award to HRH Princess Haya in appreciation for her efforts and achievements in developing Arab women.

Awards were also made to Sheikh Soaad Al Humaidi from Kuwait, Mrs Fatima Obaid Al Jaber, from UAE, and Mrs Al Juwhara Bint Mohammed Al Anqari from Saudi Arabia.

In a speech delivered on her behalf, HRH Princess Haya stressed the achievements of Emirati and Gulf women, especially their ability to occupy 22.5 per cent of the National Federal Council and 10 per cent of the diplomatic sector in the UAE, about 30 per cent of leading positions related to decision making, and 66 representation in the public sector.

She also highlighted that the achievements of Arab women in political leadership and being active and efficient members of the society on the same basis as men in terms of rights and responsibilities.

This is because of the rule that guarantees women's constitutional rights such as equal employment opportunities, health care, and social responsibilities, she said, adding that the true gains of UAE women reflected their strong presence as businesswomen, teachers, doctors, journalists and successful employees at all levels up to government ministers.

"Elevating women is a strategic objective for the UAE, and reflects the trust and commitment of the leadership towards developing women and their role in society," she said.

Nadine Abou Zaki, Chairman of the New Arab Woman Forum and editor in chief of Al Hasnaa magazine, said that the event will again be held in Dubai next year under the patronage of HRH.

"This forum is only the initial step on the thousand mile trip," she said. "It is the first but won't be the last. We want this to be a forum where woman and man complement each other."

The forum's first day agenda included panel sessions on the role women can play in business and economic transformation, the independence of women proportional to their economic independence, and the power to promote women's role in the economy.

The final part of the forum will cover women and media and the extent that Arab women benefit from the expanding role of the media in the region, their representation in the media, women as conceptualists, creators, anchors, directors and consumers of media: the emergence of a new image. As well as the influence of new technologies, the forum will focus on the transformation of such an image while debating media progress in advancing women's rights and the emergence of Arab women journalists during war.

The forum is organised by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group and Al Hasnaa magazine, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Arab League, ESCWA, V-Day Karama, Diplomatic Ladies Association - Dubai and North Emirates, and media partner MBC1. It is sponsored by Pantene of Proctor & Gamble, Group Plus, BE International, Microsoft, and Intel.