As we approach the end of this year, it is time to reflect on achievements of the challenging past months. As the first and only resident Arab female Ambassador to Latvia, I am proud to highlight the similarities our two friendly countries share in terms of women’s empowerment. With the UAE preparing for its Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2021, it is important to note that over the past 50 years, the role of women has remained paramount to the progress of the UAE. Indeed, Emirati women continue demonstrating that nothing is impossible.

Women in the UAE have consistently contributed to the prosperity and development of their country while defying stereotypes about the Arab world. The UAE continues to top measures of women’s empowerment across various sectors. According to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Gender Gap report for 2020, the UAE ranks 10th in wage equality for similar work. Moreover, WEF also ranks the UAE as first in the world in literacy and enrolment in primary education during 2020. It is only by investing in the education of young girls that we can raise a generation of empowered women.

In the UAE, women's roles in society have been appreciated for decades, as the General Women's Union, under the chairmanship of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, was founded only four years after the Emirates were united into one nation. H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak and the efforts of all Emirati women are celebrated every year during UAE Women`s Day on August 28.

The UAE has made it a top national priority to achieve women’s empowerment domestically and abroad. UAE embassies carry out a number of initiatives in their host countries—The UAE Embassy in Riga is no exception and has been actively involved in the empowerment of women in Latvia. Notably, the UAE Embassy has established a strong partnership and ongoing cooperation with MARTA, the only women's rights organization in Latvia that provides professional social, legal, and psychological services to adults who have been the victims of violence and human trafficking while offering assistance to other vulnerable women and children. MARTA also works to reduce violence among youth through various programs.

Moreover, the UAE Embassy is actively involved with the International Women's Club of Riga and frequently participates in its activities, including the annual Christmas Bazaar and charity drives.

Ultimately, empowering women is one step towards achieving gender balance around the world. In this regard, the UAE and Latvia are taking significant strides. Our two countries’ shared understanding of women’s empowerment has served me in highlighting the UAE’s achievements in this field. It is worth recalling that Latvia has already had a female President and Prime Minister, and the current female Speaker of the Parliament has been re-elected for the second time. Between 2015 and 2019 the Speaker of the UAE Parliament was female making her the first-ever woman Speaker of an Arab national parliament. In the UAE, the Minister of State for Advanced Technologies, Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, has recently been listed on the BBC’s list of 100 inspiring and influential women for 2020 for successfully leading the Emirates Mars Mission and chairing the UAE Space Agency. Both the UAE and Latvia have women in high governmental positions, with the UAE boasting 50% female membership in its Federal National Council.

Taking all of the above into account, I am happy to step into the next 50 years of the United Arab Emirates and be a part of the wonderful journey our country has begun. I am also honored that I had the opportunity to witness Latvia celebrating its centenary during my tenure here. These are great milestones for both our countries and accomplishments that could only be achieved through the consistent hard work of men and women alike.