“Women play an important role politically, economically and socially in their local communities”

 Ambassador Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi of the United Arab Emirates in Seoul participated in the celebration of International Women’s Day Event hosted by Korean National Council of Women on March 8, 2021, in the presence of Speaker Park Byeong-seug of the National Assembly and senior officials and representatives from various sectors.

 Ambassador Al Nuaimi delivered a congratulatory speech on this occasion and commended the role played by women beside their fellow men, politically, economically and socially in their local communities, expressing his wishes to women for more successes and achievements in the future.

 The following is the full text of the congratulatory message of HE Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to Seoul.—ED.

 On the occasion of the International Women's Day, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to all women around the world.

 I take this opportunity to commend the role played by women beside their fellow men, politically, economically and socially in their local communities, in the Republic of Korea and elsewhere.

 In my country, the United Arab Emirates, women have been fully empowered and their voices have been clearly heard. 

 They have been receiving a great support from the General Women's Union, under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, since 1975.

 The efforts of the above-mentioned Union are reinforced by the establishment of the Gender Balance Council in 2015, as a federal entity responsible of developing and implementing gender balance agenda.

 Thanks to the early institutional patronage, women in the UAE are enjoying rights similar to their fellow men.

 They are given equal chances to education. Thus, literacy rate among women in the UAE is more than 95% based on recent official data.

 They also hold high-ranking positions including ministers in the Cabinet and CEOs in other vital institutions in the public or private sectors.

 In addition, women's representation in the UAE's Federal National Council (parliament) has been doubled to 50 percent of the seats by a Presidential Resolution in 2019, an additional step to enhance women's contribution to the decision-making process in the country.

 I conclude my message with my best wishes to women for more successes and achievements in the future.