H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak

H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak is commonly acknowledged as a pioneer in women’s work in the UAE, as well as a supporter of women’s rights and growth.

Background:

H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak was born as the only daughter of her parents in Al-Hayer, Al-Ain. Her family is spiritual and Bedouin. She was always drawn to the principles and simplicity of Bedouin life and culture, from which she developed her personality and heritage. She was particularly interested in matters of motherhood, childhood, and family, all of which took a significant portion of her time. She has made great progress in improving the position of children and mothers on all levels in a relatively short period of time. She is known as the “Mother of Sheikhs” and “Mother of the UAE.”

Social Impact:

Since the 1960s, Sheikha Fatima has paid a lot of attention to women’s issues, believing that the empowerment and development of women are essential to the reformation of the entire community. Thus she is inclined on monitoring women’s affairs on the local, regional, and international levels.

Since the Union’s inception, she has worked alongside the State’s founder, late Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to encourage women to educate and work, which has been a daily and practical system that has assisted the UAE political leadership in realizing women’s advancement on all levels.

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak is regarded as an extraordinary woman due to her strong vision, wisdom, and leadership in projects that gave women equal opportunity with men and developed their capacity to confront life.

This is a significant achievement for the UAE in terms of Emirati women’s empowerment, as she founded the first women’s assembly in 1973, which was followed by the formation of the Women’s Union in 1975, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood in 2003, and the Family Development Foundation in 2006.

Her Highness’s initiatives and work over four decades led to women’s standing on social, economic, and political levels.

Her Highness’s strong participation in founding the Arab Women Organization and establishing the Refugee Women’s Fund, in collaboration and coordination with the U.N. The High Commissioner for Refugees has been critical. Her Highness also sponsored efforts to build a website dedicated to Arab expatriate women’s issues. She has also chaired essential organizations such as the Arab Women Organization and the Regional Coordination Committee for Women’s Work in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula.

Furthermore, her humanitarian efforts to assist women and children worldwide in achieving their goals have been crucial in achieving progress, stability, and peace for their society.

Accolades:

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak has earned more than (500) accolades and certificates of appreciation from local, regional, and worldwide institutions and organizations as a result of her tireless work.

H.H. 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, received the Agent of Change Award from U.N. Women and the Global Partnerships Forum, in acknowledgment of her contributions and accomplishments in the areas of women’s empowerment and gender equality.