Dubai Women Establishment participates in Second World Women's Forum in South Korea

Led by DWE board member, Hala Badri, the delegation was among over 800 women leaders, ministers, businesswomen, opinion leaders and journalists from all around the world.

Titled "Women as Agents of Change - Building a diverse and sustainable future", the forum heard from Badri who presented on the progress of women in the UAE and countered misperceptions they are not given opportunities to participate and engage in various fields in society. Badri countered stereotypes about Arab women, highlighting the fact UAE women currently hold leading positions and play an important role in the development of UAE.

Badri also pointed out the UAE, in less than three years, has evolved from no female participation in leadership and ministerial positions to one of the highest presence of women in political and legislative authorities in the world.

As examples, Badri referred to the 9 women appointed to the Federal National Council, bringing female representation to 22.5% of the government body, and the UAE's diplomatic corps, 6 positions - 4 ministerial and 2 ambassadorial - are held by women, including Shaikha Najla Al Qasimi, Sweden ambassador and the ambassador of Spain, Hassa Al Otaiba.

Badri concluded her presentation by stressing the importance of networking events such as the forum for women from the UAE to learn about the progress of women globally and to speak to the world about their own progress at home by presenting Dubai and the UAE as progressive societies.

The World Women's Forum is an international platform for women from diverse backgrounds to liaise and share insights on effectively formulating and implementing policies to support development of women around the world. This year, the World Women's Forum included a lecture titled "Within Knowledge Comes Responsibility - The Darfur Crisis"; "The Military World of the Future and the Role of Women in it"; "Connecting Women to Global Economy"; and "Achieve Work life Balance".