Women Renaissance

     When we speak about women under Zayed's reign, we must begin by discussing his attitude toward women in general. H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan has full respect for a woman as a mother, wife, sister, daughter and as a human being. It would suffice to refer here to the great love he had for his mother, Sheikha Salama Bin Butti, who played an influential role in his upbringing and guidance. The Yemeni writer Awad Al Arshani wrote the following about Sheikh Zayed's mother:

     "The dearest person to him was his mother and he was her dearest child. Zayed was very attached to his honorable mother. With her firmness and balanced affection she was his highest ideal after the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him.

     There are very few great women in history, yet they played very outstanding roles in the life of their families and communities. Sheikha Salama Bin Butti was one of these few women, though history has not yet revealed her real role in preserving the ruling family in Abu Dhabi.

     As a woman, Sheikha Salama had a very strong personality and was a pious and religious lady. History reveals few like her.

     She implanted in her son real values and norms, qualities such as nobleness, generosity, altruism, ethics and Islamic teachings. It is only natural that His Highness was destined to a bright future after internalizing these qualities.

     No doubt women's march towards renaissance represents an exceptional occurrence not only in the UAE, but in the Arab World as well, as women in Zayed's reign have been given the chance to excel in intellectual pursuits, science and have gained a distinct social position.

     Women have achieved what they aspired to through education, which has opened the door to new horizons for them and has marked the dawn of a bright future.

     Women have been able to fulfill their professional aspirations. They have embarked on careers that assert their identity and contribution, and preserve their dignity in accordance with the Koran and the Sunna of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him.

     Furthermore, women have realized their aspirations within the context of an increased awareness of the splendid past, of the present and its challenges and of the future and its horizons. H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan has affirmed that women are not only half the society in terms of number - they are half the society in terms of their participation in shouldering the responsibility of preparing younger generations for what they are going to meet in their future and in raising these generations in a proper and sound manner. Expressing his views on women, His Highness says:

     "Woman is one of the pillars of the UAE society, because she is the daughter, the sister and the mother who nurtures and raises the new generation."

     H.H. Sheikh Zayed has given the sphere of women development in the UAE great attention and significant support. In this respect His Highness says: "Islam has honored the woman and given her an appropriate position within the community. Women should emulate the wives of the Prophet Mohammed, mothers of the believers, in everything they do."

     His Highness has also said:
"I am sure that women in our prospering country realize the importance of preserving our original customs which are derived from the true teachings of Islam. A woman is the foundation on which a family is built and the family is the force which propels the whole society."

     This is an accurate stance and an auspicious plan for the development of the UAE women in a way that enables them to fulfill their role in society, thanks to his valued directions. He is the mentor who takes care of their affairs and believes in their role in building the country side by side with men, equipped with knowledge, education and faith in God.

     The woman in the UAE today has full access to tertiary education and participates in all aspects of professional life working as a doctor, teacher, engineer, manager, employee, and so forth. How was this started and how was it developed?

     The march of women's activities began in the UAE in February 1973, when Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the first Lady, founded the Abu Dhabi Women's Development Society as the first women's organization in the country to bring women together. The creation of the society marked the beginning of women's work in the social field. This received impetus when a similar women's society was also founded in Umm Al Qaiwain. This was followed by the birth of the Ras Al Khaimah Women's Development Society, the Women's Development Society in Dubai, and the Women's Association in Sharjah. In view of the common goals of these women societies in the UAE, and the desire to achieve cooperation and total coordination between the movements' centers, the General Union of Women was established as the first comprehensive women's organization in the UAE on April 28, 1975. H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak was elected President of the Women's Association.

     The objectives of the Association were specified in the following way:
1. Cultural, social and political development of women
2. Women's participation in all development processes
3. Increasing women's awareness of their role in society
4. Providing all opportunities and capabilities to qualify women
5. Women's should bear their responsibilities with respect to their roles as mothers, employees, teachers, doctors, nurses, sisters, wives, and educated individuals.

     The UAE Women's Association has supported the total national development process of Emirati women in such a way as to enable them, as they are being ushered into the twenty-first century, to participate with men in all fields of development. H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan has been very supportive of the continuation of the UAE women's quest to play an active role in all spheres of life. There is in fact no difference between men and women except in the work done by each. H.H. Sheikh Zayed said: "Nothing stops the UAE woman from joining the National Council."

     H.H. Sheikh Zayed also said:
"The relationship between man and woman is one of participation and co-existence; their destiny is one. Woman cannot live without man, and man cannot live without woman. God has created the two to complement each other. He has bound them together by affection. Therefore, true development in any society will never be positively achieved unless it targets the two of them and is based on equal participation between them. Thanks be to God, many things have been achieved in the UAE of which we are very proud. Women have gained rights equal to those of men. This equality strengthened both because God, Most Mighty and Most High, loves his strong servants. We have done miracles for the sake of the UAE boys and girls."

His View of Exorbitant Dowries
     H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan urged members of the Board of Directors of the Marriage Fund to do their best to achieve the desired goals of the Fund by curbing the phenomenon of exorbitant dowries and extravagant wedding parties.

     H.H. Sheikh Zayed asserts that a girl's dignity cannot be judged by the amount of her dowry. He has commended the pioneers of the women's movement and announced in more than one of his press statements that he is a real supporter of women and that he is against their oppression. He maintains that a woman should play her full role in society. He has also given instructions for strategies to be implemented to benefit from women's contribution to the workforce and their general position in society and has invited women to bear their responsibilities and carry out their duties as wives. He has pointed out that to achieve this, women must be armed with education. On his visit to Abu Dhabi Women's Development Society- Bateen Branch - on December 27, 1989, His Highness said:

     "Education is like a beacon lighting your way in the darkness. It teaches you many things, the most important of which is to know your duties towards your nation, homeland, families, and the realities relating to your present, future, and even your past...." His Highness also said: "I encourage women to work in the places that suit their nature and preserve their self-respect and dignity as mothers responsible for the nurturing of new generations."

     He has confirmed that the Sharia accords women their true value because it honors them. In his view, woman is an essential building block that enhances the benevolent march that His Highness plans for the future. His Highness has also confirmed the important role played by women in building society and in contributing to its prosperity and progress since their role is no lesser than that of men.

     The First Lady, Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the Women's General Association, urged women to enter all fields of work (the Armed Forces, Air Force, media etc.). The first group of women to participate in the UAE annual military parade was in 1990, when a special amphitheater was erected for them. H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak led the presence of women in the parade, in addition to a number of Sheikhas and the mothers of the officers who fought in the Gulf War. The UAE women proved their competence and efficiency by joining the Armed Forces and other Regular Troops.

     In May 1998, Khawla Bint Al Azwar School celebrated the graduation of the eleventh group of women police, comprising forty-nine lady graduates. Since its establishment in 1978 and until 1998, the Women Police School trained 402 policewomen who joined all fields of work within the Women Police Force.

     Her Highness Sheikha Fatima has confirmed that the UAE General Union of Women seeks to develop its views and vision, and to remain strongly committed to the task of deepening the sense of identity with and adherence to Arab-Islamic traditions, in such a way that makes these traditions merge with the conscience of new generations.

     Her Highness has pointed out that the General Union of Women will prepare lists containing the names of the ladies nominated to attend the sessions of the National Council in the coming period. This will be done to qualify national women cadres politically through following the discussions of the National Council.

     In an interview with Kuwait magazine, Her Highness shed light on Sheikh Zayed's role in the development of the UAE women. She stated that the role of the female graduates from the University and the Higher Colleges of Technology is beginning now to give returns.
The UAE women have achieved many of their ambitions and expectations in all the fields of public service because the government has given them unlimited access to education, scholarships for studying abroad, and opportunities to occupy senior positions.

     Something that women are really proud of, and deserves to be mentioned, is the fact that the Women's Association has succeeded in building a new community for rural and Bedouin women.

     In her address to the Summit Conference on improving the socio-economic status of rural women on February 26, 1992, Sheikha Fatima said:

     "One of the major projects being carried out by the Government is the rural development project within the scheme of urbanization; the aim of the project is to make nomadic groups -men and women- settle down, enjoy stability and devote their efforts to contributing to building the UAE and strengthening national by training, acquiring technical experiences and changing nomads into a productive force to complement the economic structure of the state."

     The UAE women have had a distinguished role in preserving traditions by reviving traditional handicrafts and industries. This has been done through the Handicrafts Center and the role it has played in preserving heritage and maintaining a continuum between the past and present. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima played a significant role in encouraging this endeavour as well as women's positive role in this field and other fields of life.

     In the 2nd Annual Handicrafts Exhibition on December 14, 1992, Her Highness said: "Public awareness of the significance of heritage is increasing in the UAE and throughout the Arabian Gulf, especially after the rapid progress in to all aspects of life financial and economic; it is now imperative to preserve the deep roots of society".

Women's Education
     As a matter of fact H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, has led an educational, social and economic revolution in matters pertaining to women. He has not only come up with the idea of the Marriage Fund, but has also been its patron for many years. He is the one who encourages the woman to work and considers her as a partner of man in all fields. He has opposed exorbitant dowries, called for the education of women and for providing them with health care and preserving their rights. He is also concerned with the process of qualifying women in the intellectual, scientific, educational, cultural and social domains.

     His Highness has realized that this age is the age of knowledge, progress and technological advances, and that the progress of a nation is judged by the standard of education of its citizens. Therefore, he fought strongly against illiteracy. The State's experience with the eradication of illiteracy began in the early seventies. The UAE General Union of Women participated in the illiteracy eradication campaign in the mid- seventies and played an active role in woman's education by organizing symposia, conferences and drawing comprehensive awareness creation strategies, as in 1988 when the deadline for eradicating illiteracy in the UAE was set at 9 years. This period of nine years was ratified by Ministerial Decree No. 83/7 for 1989.

     All of the above reflects the struggle of women against contemporary challenges under the valued directions of H.H. Sheikh Zayed.

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak in an interview with the Kuwaiti Magazine Al Yaqdha as published in the Woman Book issued by the Heritage Revival Society , said:

     "Zayed has supported women in their drive to fulfill their aspirations and has encouraged them in the same way he has encouraged men, without any discrimination. Therefore, I look to the future with optimism and believe that women are very likely to occupy certain ministerial posts because this is natural process. Since the President of the State himself supports women, other officials are bound to follow his example."

     Concerning women's role in politics, she said: "It is a big mistake to assume that politics is only for men in this age. Whether we like it or not, politics imposes itself on us. It is just impossible to stand on the sidewalk and watch human rights being violated everyday, to see children killed and women become homeless, to see life being destroyed and nations subjected to dispossession just because we are women. Of course we are women, but we constitute half the society. In my view the word woman is not synonymous with a mat which is trod on by time without any response on her part..."

     The woman has penetrated all fields of life in the UAE. She has joined company with man in nursing, in defending the country, in teaching and planning and has taken up jobs in governmental departments and many other fields. It has been years since women became under-secretaries in government.

     H.H. Sheikh Zayed's effort in supporting women's development stems from his deep conviction that the success of a nation depends on the standard of qualification of its people. For this reason His Highness spares no time or effort in this noble quest to take care of women. Women are an indispensable source of energy and we must help them to make full use of it. A woman is a human being and she has all the rights and duties of a human being.

     Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak says:
"The UAE woman enjoys awareness and maturity and this makes her respected by all."

     The Federation, under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed, has given women benefits and opportunities that have exceeded their dreams and expectations. As a result, women have occupied prestigious positions in all spheres of life and on all levels. Women have great aspirations now and look forward to taking responsibility in both the family and society.

     His Highness Sheikh Zayed says:
"The primary responsibility of the woman is her family. For this reason women must be educated, familiarized with the basics of life and intellectually enriched. In fact, the intellectual enrichment of women is the most important prop of women's activities in the state."

     Zayed's tendency to take care of women and the way he insists on giving them all their rights derives from an Islamic faith and consciousness because Islam has given women their full rights. Hence, His Highness has focused on removing things that impede the development of women and stop them from occupying the positions they actually deserve. His Highness has called on the government, represented by its institutions, to reflect this Islamic principle. In this respect he says: "Women must represent the state in international women conferences to show others the level of prosperity attained by the state and to represent us and our society a laudable manner, as well as our religion which has given women all their rights."

     As for the future of women in the UAE, Her Highness said in an interview with Zahrat Al Khaleej weekly magazine, in a special issue on the occasion of the 10th National Day of the UAE which appeared in Woman: The Story of Women Development in the UAE, published by the Heritage Revival Society: "I see women in the future engaging more in work than idle talk; I see women who are well aware of their circumstances and comprehend them fully, women who know what is required of them. I see women freed from the shackles of illiteracy in the fields of science, society, and the family. Illiteracy is the number one enemy of women and of society in general. I see women helping their sisters who have missed the opportunity of a proper education to gain experience in a way that makes all of them climb the ladder of progress and civilization, on the basis of strong roots, without vanity or the kind of misconception which makes one believe that she has done the other a favor. This is in fact the first step in the process of showing gratitude to the country, the motherland."

     As the sun rises every morning, the role of woman in the modern state, which is being led by H.H. Sheikh Zayed, who constantly endeavours to develop the General Union of Women. He does so by deepening the sense of identity and commitment to Arab-Islamic traditions and ingraining them in the conscience of the new generation.

     This positive attitude towards woman has resulted in a number of noteworthy facts. Women occupy 20-27% of senior administrative positions in the federal ministries and institutions, and 17.5% of middle level administrative positions. Moreover, women occupy 56% of the technical posts and 17% of the teaching posts occupied by nationals in the UAE University. Education statistics show that a bright future awaits the Emirati women, since girls have 50% of the places available in the different stages of general education. This percentage rises to 60% at university level. It is only natural that this potential energy will be put to use in all fields of work.

Decisive Solutions For Marriage Problems
     H.E. Mattar Humaid Al Tayer says that more than seventeen thousand of the UAE youth have benefited from the Marriage Fund at a total cost of one billion 135 million dirhams. The Fund's budget has been increased from 80 million to 250 million dirhams."

     This attests to the fact that the goals of the Marriage Fund have started to materialize. These goals center round giving financial grants to nationals whose incomes are limited in order to help them meet marriage costs, encouraging nationals to intermarry, and removing obstacles that face them. These goals also include contributing to family stability and launching campaigns to enlighten both male and female youths.

     Based on the above, we can conclude that the Marriage Fund has become a real asset and a significant and effective social institution in matters pertinent to making the dreams of youths come true, and to eliminating the problems that face them. Hence the Marriage Fund has realized its goals which relate primarily to the following motto: "The family is the foundation of society and its solid structural unit." The motto is in fact a call to be proud of the Emirati woman who has always met the expectations of the leader through countless achievements. She has become an active member of society on all levels and in all fields - she has become a nurse, a university student, an intellectual, a researcher, a teacher, a fighter and politically active at times of crises. It would suffice to mention here the way women received their Kuwaiti sisters from the beginning of the invasion until Kuwait was liberated.

     The role played by the Emirati women will always be blameless. Statistical information, which was published in the Al Ittihad newspaper in 1995, showed that women occupy more that 73% of the positions at the UAE University, 20% of the posts in the federal institutions, 57% of the posts in the ministries of Health and Education, and 27% of the posts of decision-makers.

     When the First Lady, H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, visited the State of Qatar in January 1999, she made a statement in which she said that Sheikh Zayed had achieved everything that women had dreamt of, and that Emirati women would soon enter the political sphere after the necessary preparations were completed. In response to a question about what the UAE women had achieved she said: "The Emirati woman is indeed the happiest woman in the world." This is so, in her view, because Zayed has become to Emirati woman a president, a ruler and a father. He knows her sufferings as well as her needs. He follows up her aspirations with the interest of a kind father, and with a profound awareness and an accurate understanding of everything. Zayed always anticipates the expectations of his citizens, especially women. Zayed has in fact anticipated everything that the Emirati women have dreamt of, and fulfilled their dreams. Women have dreamt of education only to find that education has been made available to the level of the highest scientific degrees. They have dreamt of employment and jobs only to get more than these dreams. They have dreamt of equality only to find that it has become a fact of life. Zayed does not discriminate between one citizen and the other on the basis of gender.

     To Zayed, man and woman represent the two wings of one bird; the bird cannot fly using one wing only. Job opportunities are equal and salaries are decided on the basis of equal pay for equal work. The ultimate measure is effort, dedication and productivity.

     Zayed has given us much in deeds not in words. We are lucky to live in Zayed's reign, a reign that will be remembered for preserving the dignity of man and his welfare. I am just a freshman in Zayed University. I have learnt a lot from him. What the Emirati women have achieved is worthy of respect and a sense of fulfillment. Aspirations know no limits, of course. However, what has been achieved up to the present is substantial and praiseworthy. As long as the march continues, women will ever be on ascendancy. Every new day adds something respectable and admirable to our practical and theoretical experience, as long as this addition contributes to the building of the country, the society and to the elevating of women in all fields.

Activities of the General Union of Women
1- Quality Awards
     Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak has sought to transform the words and ambitions of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan into tangible realities. This has led to a qualitative and quantitative expansion in the activities of the General Union of Women. The activities of the General Union of Women have enriched the cultural and social life of the woman and contributed to her prosperity. In addition, many associations for women and other institutions have been established. This has inevitably created a need for quality awards to serve the women's movement.

2. Filial Piety Award
     This award is in a class of its own. H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the General Union of Women and the Honorary President of the Women Committee of the UAE Red Crescent Society, declared on October 1, 1997, on the occasion of the International Day for Elderly People, the allocation of a Filial Piety Award.

     Those who show devotion to their parents, who are over sixty years of age, and live with them while one or both parents are incapacitated, qualify for this award. A devoted son or daughter who makes an effort to frequently visit one or both of his/her elderly parents, who are kept in a medical center or hospital to receive treatment, qualify for the award as well.

     It is to be noted that the ultimate goal of this award is the human being. This is one of H.H. Sheikha Fatima's causes, the target of which is to strengthen the values of mercy and to present social solidarity in the brightest of light, as well as to sow the seeds of gratitude across generations and enhance family ties, especially respect for parents.

     H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan gave tribute to nine UAE nationals on December 17, 1997, while H.H. Sheikha Fatima gave tribute to nineteen female UAE nationals, who received this award on October 28, 1997.

3. The Ideal Family Award
     On December 6, 1997, H.H Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak gave a statement to Zahrat Al Khaleej magazine about the Ideal Family Award. This is an annual award, which aims to promote family values and to help families to embrace the elements of strength and solidarity, and to become aware of the importance of education and work, and of serving the country by adhering to ideals, values and maintaining real concern for its welfare. Three local families are selected, felicitated and given a financial award by the General Union of Women, during the celebration of the Arab Family Day.

     On the occasion of celebrating the Arab Family Day, Her Highness announced the names of three families that had won the award, and paid tribute to them. They were selected because they met the following three requirements:

1. Strong family ties
2. Success in educating their children
3. Patriotism and future development of the family.

The above requirements strengthen the values of Gulf, Arab and Muslim families.

4. International Tribute
     The magnificent achievements of the United Arab Emirates have drawn Arab and worldwide attention. On December 5, 1997, the United Nations decided to give a tribute to the First Lady, Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the General Women's Union, and Honorary President the Women Committee of the UAE Red Crescent Society and Chairwoman of the Gulf Co-ordination Committee. Six international organizations stated in the certificates of tribute granted to Her Highness in a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi on December 18, 1997, that she deserved the tribute because of her continuous effort and devotion in supporting women's issues, eradication of illiteracy, and for taking special care of children, persons with special needs, the elderly and orphans.

     Those organizations were:
1. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
2. United Nations Population Fund
3. World Health Organization (WHO)
4. United Nations Woman Development Organization
5. United Nations Volunteers Program
6. United Nations Regional Coordination Bureau for Development in the UAE

     All the above organizations confirmed that Her Highness, the First Lady, has become, within a quarter of a century, an outstanding and prestigious figure on the international level, thanks to her distinguished achievements in all fields of social, charitable and humanitarian activities.
Ways of paying tribute to H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak come from all quarters because of her impressive character, her enlightenment, and her great deeds in the field of women's prosperity, in particular, and that of the family in general.

     The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently announced the award of the Marie Curie Golden Prize to Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak. The organization referred to the efforts of the First Lady and the President of the General Union of Women, in these words:

1- Her efforts to upgrade the family and her keenness on family unity which is a prerequisite for development and progress

2- Her efforts to promote education and the eradication of illiteracy

3- Her encouragement of women to participate in the different fields of national work and in drawing development plans

4- Her support for the disabled and their families, and her efforts to enhance the concept of challenging disability.

     The following was stated by Dr. Abdulla Bu Buttanah, Director of the UNESCO office in Doha, and the representative UNESCO in the Arab Gulf:

     "Her Highness is indeed a pioneering woman in the fields of progress and prosperity and the indisputable leader of women's development in the UAE. As her tribute coincided with the Arab Family Day celebration and the meetings of the Arab and International Family Organizations, which were held in Abu Dhabi (December 1, 1999), the aim was to pay tribute to her by granting her the Organization's shield and Arab League shield, in appreciation of her efforts in the field of women and humanitarian activities on the local, Arab and international levels.

     We have to mention the qualitative development through her efforts in the Abu Dhabi Women's Development Society and the General Union of Women, and her announcement of the Ideal Family Award on December 7,1997, as well as her full support and encouragement to the productive family Exhibition and for her hosting the Executive Bureau and General Council of the International Family Organization."

     With every sunrise the achievements of women multiply and their gains increase because of the kind care and instructions of the President of the State and the Members of the Supreme Federal Council, rulers of the Emirates. If we add to this the purposive efforts exerted by H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the President of the General Union of Women, we will realize that what women have achieved in the field of development is firmly rooted in the Sharia laws and genuine Arab values.

     The UAE General Union of Women has played a significant role in drawing national plans, in identifying the future goals of women's development in all fields, and in speaking on the behalf of women's societies with respect to requesting the promulgation of laws governing women's life. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak has always been keen on seeing the UAE women actively participate in the Beijing Conference, and follow up its functions, and oppose any clause that contradicts the Sharia laws or the social values, ethics and traditions. The delegation announced its reservation with regard to certain provisions in the action plan approved by the Conference.

Universal Women Achievements
     The UAE National Report to the Women's Conference in Beijing showed that, from its creation in 1975 until 1992, the UAE General Union of Women participated in 298 conferences, meetings, symposia, seminars, training sessions and exhibitions, on both the local and international levels. More than 1900 delegates were sent to those conferences, symposia, exhibitions and meetings. The report referred to the activities of the General Union of Women carried out by its various societies such as Abu Dhabi Women's Development Society, Dubai Women's Development Society, Sharjah Women's Development Society, Umm al-Mou'meneen Society in Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain Women's Development Society, and the Ras Al Khaimah Women's Development Society. The report also pointed to the fact that more than 16,200 members benefited from such activities. The activities comprise education, eradication of illiteracy, cultural lectures, training sessions, centers for teaching the Koran, in addition to the local and handicrafts centers, comprising sixty-five members. The national report reviewed the ceaseless efforts exerted by the State to take special care of, and accord great attention to, the development and scientific upgrading of human resources, which in a 3.4% increase in the number of women in the workforce in 1980, to 5.9% in 1985, and to more than 11% in 1990.

     The vast majority of national women work in the public sector, where their percentage had increased from 86.3 in 1980 to 94.1 in 1990. In the private sector the percentage was 4.3 to 5.5 over the same period.

     The role played by the UAE Women in community service and the in the building of the new State is increasing every day, thanks to the full support by H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the President of the State. This support is primarily intended to achieve women's development and prosperity. A great deal in this respect is also owed to the follow up and total care which the First Lady, H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak the President of the General Union of Women and the Abu Dhabi Women's Development Society, gives to the cause of woman and the process of her development.

Well-Deserved Honor
     In appreciation of her efforts in this field, the UAE celebrated an occasion on April 18, 1999, to pay tribute to Her Highness in her capacity as the President of the UAE General Union of Women as well as of the Abu Dhabi Women's Development Society.

     The selection of Her Highness as the humanitarian personality of 1998, through a referendum conducted by the higher committee for the selection of the humanitarian personality of the year, was considered as an accurate and well-deserved one. It would suffice to say here that 52% of the total 55,000 nomination forms were completed by UAE nationals, expatriates, along with citizens from the Gulf, Arab and friendly countries. All scientific and cultural sectors on all levels participated. The percentage of men who took part in the referendum was 55% while that of women was 45%.

     Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak was inspired by the correct method of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in tackling the issue of the development of the UAE women. This was evidenced by the way her deeds complemented her sayings. On the occasion of choosing her as the humanitarian personality of the year 1998, she said: "Selecting me as the humanitarian personality of the year 1998 has come as unexpected tribute and honor, something that I haven never thought of, nor looked forward to. To me, the sheer fact of being generous and benevolent is in itself the highest tribute and honor a human being can receive."

     Her Highness went on to add: "When a human being loves to do good and makes of this task his quest, and urges others to emulate him, this is simply part of the thanks that are due to God. We thank God for the riches He, Almighty and Most High, has bestowed on us. God's gifts bestow immeasurable good on us. He blesses us with an innate tendency to do good. The least we can do is to do good to others to repay what God has bestowed on us, albeit that we can never count His gifts, Almighty and Most High, irrespective of the what we do or the number of times we attempt to do this..."

     Her Highness has confirmed that generosity and benevolence represent the apex of human love. She said: "Zayed's deeds in this field are countless and well-known."

Unlimited Support
     The support of Her Highness the First Lady, Sheikha Fatima, to women has given extra-ordinary results. Today women occupy 20% of the posts in the federal ministries and institutions. They also occupy 27.1% of the senior administrative posts related to decision-making and directing administrative and production policies. Women have proved that they are highly competent by joining the ranks of the Armed Forces, the Police and the Security Forces, and by taking up posts in the fields of engineering, medicine, teaching, nursing and the like. No doubt that these great achievements made by women derive, in no small measure, from the ingenuity shown by Zayed in his endeavor to develop women, who constitute half the society. His wife, H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, have translated his ideas into deeds. Hence, active programs have been worked out by the General Union of Women and its associated women's societies in all the Emirates of the State.

     The UAE General Union of Women has conducted many programs, seminars, conferences, festivals and lectures that aim at the true development of women in all fields, and has extended its services to the remotest urban and rural areas. It was only natural that Her Highness had dedicated this tribute to H.H. Sheikh Zayed saying: "I dedicate this tribute to Zayed, who has been our model in things pertaining to exerting ceaseless efforts and in generously giving."

     H.H. Sheikh Zayed expressed his attitude towards women in a few words: "Nothing makes me happier than seeing women occupy distinguished positions in society. Nothing should impede their progress. Like men, women have the right to occupy senior positions on the basis of capabilities and qualifications."

     Therefore, in attributing the Humanitarian Personality Award to H.H. Sheikh Zayed, Sheikha Fatima was ascribing all credit to him. She justified this by saying that this was done "...in appreciation of his efforts in the field of humanitarian work." Her Highness confirmed that "what his good hands have sown, what he has constantly taken care of, is now in the stage of fruition, and that the great values of benevolence with which he has imbued the souls of his sons and daughters, the citizens of the UAE, have become essential character traits of the Emirati individual."