Within the framework of its sustained efforts to enhance the culture of political participation within the UAE society, the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the General Womens Union, to enhance cooperation in raising political awareness among UAE national women across the country.

According to the MoU signed by His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, and Her Excellency Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Womens Union, the two sides will work together on implementing the various activities under the MoU such as research studies, conferences, and training programmes on political participation.

H.E. Tariq Hilal Lootah said that the MoU is aimed at consolidating the efforts to empower UAE national women to take the lead in the society, considering that women form a key segment in the political development process in the country.

H.E. Lootah added: The ministry is keen to expand the cooperation with social institutions within the UAE to ensure active participation from all segments of the society in the process of enhancing political awareness. Empowering women politically by raising their awareness is a major priority for the ministry. In this respect, cooperation with the General Womens Union is of added value since the union is considered a pioneer in the field of empowering women, regionally and globally.

H.E. Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi stated: In view of the strategic objectives of the federal government to empower women, the General Womens Union is eager to enhance the scope of cooperation with the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, and support its efforts to encourage best practices in political participation. It is important to work together in implementing the political empowerment programme of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Therefore, forming cooperative ties with the ministry for the purpose of empowering women politically is one of our top priorities.

Al Suwaidi added: We are looking forward to implementing activities that would achieve the mission of the General Womens Union by consolidating the principles of political participation for UAE women and working towards capacity building for active participation in the upcoming elections.

According to the MoU, the two sides will initiate a joint standing committee for implementing, follow up and evaluating the outcomes of the activities, in addition to providing recommendations and suggestions to achieve the MoUs objectives.