Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation Emirati Women’s Day statement

On Emirati Women’s Day, Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), has lauded the UAE for the great strides it has made in educating and empowering the nation’s women, and offering them the opportunities they deserve to contributing equally to society. She pointed out that this strategy is tied in strongly with the UAE’s overall development plans so the nation can benefit across sectors from diversity in leadership and be a global example in gender equality.

“Our nation is full of role models championing women’s issues at local and global levels”, she said, pointing out that these accomplishments follow from the continuous efforts of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation; and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairperson of TBHF.

Al Hammadi added that Emirati women have taken the lead in spreading the UAE’s humanitarian efforts worldwide, not only because of their natural instinct and nurturing capacity, but they strongly believe in their strength and capability to make a positive difference in the most desperate of circumstances. Most importantly, Emirati women are enabling their female counterparts around the world to assume their role as peacebuilders and community builders.

“Women actively volunteering in the humanitarian field reflects the values our society has passed on to them, and sheds light on the beautiful fact that Emirati women have been seen and nurtured as brave change makers by the nation’s leadership, and offered equal opportunities to lead positive change and take the UAE’s humanitarian message to the world – even in the most dire or dangerous of circumstances,” she said reiterating that the Emirati Women’s Day is an occasion to remind us all that women and men are natural partners and change enablers in equal capacity.