The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, in collaboration with the General Women's Union and under the patronage of the Rulers Office in Fujairah, organized a seminar on the topic Women and the Federal National Council: March of Empowerment, which highlighted the active role of Emirati women in parliamentary process and the keen support of the UAE leadership that has enabled women to occupy the highest positions in the country.

The seminar included two sessions moderated by Ahlam Said Al Lamki Director of Research and Development Department at the General Women's Union. In the first session, His Excellency Dr. Saeed Mohammed Al Ghafli, Assistant Undersecretary for Federal National Council Affairs, presented a working paper on the theme, Culture of political participation and empowerment program of the Federal National Council, while H.E. Dr. Sheikha Issa Alari, a member of the Federal National Council, presented a paper on the Federal National Council and its importance in the UAE's political system. In the second session, H.E. Afra Rashid Al Basti, member of the Federal National Council, and H.E. Rawaiyah Asamahi, former member of the Federal National Council, spoke about Emirati women in the Federal National Council.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said: The ministry is keen to engage with the various state and civil society institutions like General Womens Union in order to raise awareness about the culture of political participation. It this effort, the ministry has been organizing seminars and other awareness activities, and emphasizing that political awareness in the community requires the concerted efforts of all state institutions.

H.E. Lootah pointed out that the ministry is keen on empower the Emirati women according to the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the duties of citizenship. The ministry is also working to provide women with the knowledge required to enhance their participation in the countrys parliamentary activities.

Emphasizing that political participation is one of the values enshrined in the UAE society, H.E. Dr. Saeed Mohammed Al Ghafli, said: Political participation is important to safeguard rights and freedoms, and is a mechanism to convey the needs and aspirations of the citizens to the government. It helps achieve stability and mass awareness in the community and enables constructive cooperation between citizens and government institutions. Political participation also makes it possible to supplement government policies and plans with views of citizens.

H.E. Dr. Al Ghafli noted that the high level of responsibility and efficiency achieved by Emirati women was the result of the confidence of the UAE leadership in enabling them to occupy leading positions in the country as members of the Federal National Council, ambassadors, judge, and top government officials.

Both the sessions were followed by an open dialogue between the speakers and attendees, during which the speakers clarified audience queries on the topics discussed during the meetings.