Women's Economic Empowerment Global Summit to take place in December

H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, NAMA, has approved the dates of the second edition of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Summit, WEEGS, as 10th- 11th December, 2019.

The summit is organised by NAMA in collaboration with UN Women, and will be hosted in Sharjah.

The two-day event will build on the success of the inaugural edition of WEEGS held in December 2017, and combine global efforts to ensure women’s full inclusion in all sectors, promote equal opportunities for women locally and globally, and contribute to advancing the women’s economic agenda within the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development.

Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi confirmed that this upcoming edition reinforces the UAE’s commitment to continue playing its developmental role locally and globally, as well as its support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, leading to strengthening women’s contributions to nation-building and economic prosperity.

Sheikha Jawaher has urged state entities developing policies that support women advancement to engage local communities, asserting that the sociocultural nature of the topic of women equitable access to opportunities, change needs to happen at the grassroots, beginning with the appreciation of women’s roles in socio-economic development and respecting their fundamental rights.

"Enhancing an individual’s belonging and loyalty to their society can only be achieved by empowering them to exercise their rights to their nation building. Gender equity is a fundamental right ensured in international norms and conventions and human ethics," Sheikha Jawaher stressed.

"Women’s participation in the global economy can add US$12 billion to the world’s GDP and help eradicate high rates of unemployment and illiteracy. However, the goal of ensuring women the participatory rights they deserve goes beyond these figures. Equitable distribution of income and full utilisation of human capital in both advanced and developing communities will offer us all a major impetus in realising the UN SDGs by 2030," she added.

WEEGS 2019 will discuss the emergence of new sectors, the shift of global economic powers, and the importance of the small and medium enterprises. This year, the summit seeks to urge organisations and individuals to be major influencers in their sectors, and support and integrate women at levels.

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi reiterated her commitment to supporting all women in the world, particularly those living in conflict zones and those in developing countries.

"International Women’s Day is a significant occasion as it helps us see that the world today is more convinced than it has ever been about women’s important role in overcoming challenges, advancing the economy and activating community’s role in development and progress," Her Highness said.

Sheikha Jawaher referred to the UN’s efforts in supporting women, highlighting that the UN has dedicated one of the 17 SDGs to their advancement, and establishing them as equal players in society.

The NAMA Chairperson also spoke about the UAE’s leading role in making women equal stakeholders in all aspects of social and economic development of the country – a sociocultural model that can be emulated by other countries.