UAE holds discussion on strengthening Emirati women’s role in parliament

The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs (MFNCA), in cooperation with the Federal National Council (FNC) General Secretariat and the General Women’s Union (GWU), has organised a discussion session to promote Emirati women’s political participation and strengthen their readiness for parliamentary work.

Titled Women: Half of Parliament – Pride and Honour, the session took place at Zayed Hall at the FNC headquarters in Abu Dhabi as part of the second edition of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Program for Building the Capacities of Political Women.

Launched by the General Women’s Union under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, known as the Mother of the Nation, the programme aims to develop women’s knowledge, skills and confidence to participate effectively in political and parliamentary life.

The session brought together participants interested in parliamentary affairs to discuss the experience of Emirati women in politics, their contribution to national development and the initiatives supporting their participation in the UAE’s parliamentary process.

Strengthening political awareness and parliamentary skills

Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said the session supported national efforts to increase political awareness and prepare Emirati women for active participation in parliamentary life.

He highlighted the role of the UAE’s leadership in creating opportunities for women to contribute to the country’s parliamentary journey and said cooperation between national institutions was essential to developing their capabilities.

Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union, said Emirati women’s achievements in parliamentary work reflected the leadership’s continued support and its commitment to political empowerment.

She said the programme seeks to equip women with the knowledge and preparation needed to participate actively in the Federal National Council. The partnership between the General Women’s Union, MFNCA and the FNC General Secretariat forms part of wider efforts to strengthen parliamentary awareness and build on the UAE’s experience in women’s political empowerment.

Afra Rashid Al Basti, Assistant Secretary-General for Parliamentary Communication at the FNC, highlighted the importance of transferring parliamentary knowledge and experience to younger generations. She encouraged aspiring women to develop their research, communication and community-engagement skills to understand public priorities and contribute effectively to policymaking.

Al Basti also reviewed key achievements in Emirati women’s parliamentary representation since their share of FNC seats was raised to 50 per cent. Drawing on her professional experience, she offered guidance to women considering standing in future elections.

Training covers leadership, campaigning and public engagement

Ahlam Saeed Al Lamki, Director of the Research and Development Department at the General Women’s Union, outlined the programme’s role in preparing women for political participation and public service.

She said the initiative goes beyond providing opportunities, focusing on building knowledge, refining skills, strengthening confidence and developing an understanding of national responsibilities.

The programme includes training in leadership development, networking, etiquette and protocol, psychological resilience, stress management, public speaking, influence and crisis management.

Participants also receive training in electoral messaging, campaign management, parliamentary communication, civic engagement, community representation, research and report preparation.

The programme aims to prepare women not only for elections but also for leadership roles that require them to understand community concerns, respond to public priorities and represent women, families and wider society.

During the session, participants were able to ask questions and exchange views directly with the speakers. The discussion addressed the responsibilities associated with parliamentary work and public service, while broadening participants’ understanding of political participation and national decision-making.

Second edition builds on earlier programme

The current edition follows the first programme, which ran from September 2022 to March 2023 and attracted approximately 500 participants through specialised training workshops and field visits.

The second edition features specialised learning tracks combining theoretical instruction with practical applications, simulation exercises and mentoring. Its focus areas include political empowerment, parliamentary work and election campaign management.

The Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs said it would continue working with national partners to strengthen awareness of parliamentary affairs and political and electoral participation, develop practical capabilities and support Emirati women’s contribution to the country’s parliamentary process.