

19
Adherence to equality between the two
genders
This award was received from the
highest
international
authority
for
telecommunications which is annually
organized between the International
Telecommunication Union and the United
Nations for Women and it honors the
individuals and organizations that show
adherence in achieving equality between
the two genders and empowering women
through information technology and
telecommunications.
Houlin Zhao, the Secretary-General of
International Telecommunications Union
‘ITU’ said in his speech ‘Sheikha Fatima is
a pioneer in women’s empowerment in
the UAE, and we appreciate her efforts and
activities to empower women in the area of
modern technology’.
He explained that the award focuses
on the application of technology to
empower
women
and
encourage
them to work in technology sector and
developing information technology and
telecommunications including the concept
of equality between the two genders and the
general policies related to this technology.
He added: ‘the awards of equality between
the two genders and its distribution
through technology play an important role
in characterising projects, individuals and
initiatives that have an inspiring theme
and help in guaranteeing the possibility of
introducing model characters for others,
wise programs and projects, the best
practices and the possibility to transfer it and
enhance them worldwide.
Pride and glory
For his part, His Excellency Hamad Obaid
Al Mansouri, Director General of the
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
sector was proud of the honouring of Her
Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak with
this award.
His Excellency said: ‘it is our honour that the
International Telecommunication Union
conduct such movement which reflects the
appreciation of the efforts of ‘Mother of the
Nation’ in supporting the Emirati women,
and we in UAE consider that our national
march is one march in which the man and
woman participate side by side since the first
moments of our union. Our Union founder
and the builder of our the late Sheikh Zayed
bin Sultan Al Nahyan talked about it in his
first speech after the announcement of the
Union and the Emirati principles are still
focusing on the importance of the role of
women which is reflected in UAE vision
2021.
HisExcellency said: theUnitedArabEmirates
since its foundation in 1971 depends on
its citizens whether men or women. UAE
is today proud to occupy senior positions
regionally and internationally in gender
equality, especially in education, according
to the successive reports of the World
Economic. The recent report of the forum,
which was issued during 2016 referred to
a positive paradox regarding the current
status of women in the UAE in the equation
of the labor market, where up their share
constitutes 66%.
Enlightened efforts
From her side, Noura Al Suwaidi expressed
her pride in the honouringof Sheikha Fatima
with this award, saying that it did not come
from nowhere but from the great efforts
exerted by Her Highness since the seventies
of the last century to provide opportunities
for women in the country.
She explained that Sheikha Fatima has
worked to unify the efforts of women in a
single system under one umbrella, which
is the General Women’s Union, which was
founded on 28th August 1975 to become
the official representative of women. This