Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the leading national entity for international development aid, celebrated the fifth annual Emirati Women’s Day, themed ‘Emirati Women: Icons of Tolerance’ in line with the UAE’s Year of Tolerance, with an inspirational seminar.
The seminar featured two successful Emirati women – Dr Engineer Suaad Al Shamsi, first UAE aviation engineer, and Amani Al Hosani, first UAE nuclear engineer.
The speakers shared their notable journeys and individual achievements with the audience. Thanking the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his wise leadership, the women highlighted the country’s long history of gender equality in the workplace and society at large – a legacy of the founding father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Drawing the participation of ADFD’s employees, the session focused on the speakers’ roles as influencers and contributors in the fields of science and technology.
Commenting on the panellists’ milestone achievements and thanking the country’s visionary leadership for its role in enabling Emirati women to thrive in their chosen fields as well as on a personal level, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said: “Known for their exemplary determination and resilience, Emirati women have significantly participated in shaping the UAE as we know it today. The country has from its formative years prioritised gender equality and creating new opportunities for women’s personal and career growth across all fields.”
He added: “Emirati Women’s Day this year is even more special, following the Presidential Resolution No. (1) of 2019, that raises women’s representation in the Federal National Council to 50% in the upcoming cycle. The UAE has also led the conversation on gender balance at several world forums, and established a Gender Balance Council as early as 2015, demonstrating its commitment to women’s empowerment in letter and spirit.”
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, has proclaimed Emirati Women’s Day a national occasion to be celebrated every year on 28 August.
Established in 1971, ADFD is an independent national entity affiliated with the Abu Dhabi government. The Fund offers concessionary loans, manages the implementation of Abu Dhabi government grants, and makes long-term investments as well as direct financial contributions to help developing countries achieve sustainable development. To date, ADFD has disbursed AED92 billion to finance projects in 90 countries.
