http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=90166&d=19&m=12&y=2006
Tuesday, 19, December, 2006 (29, Dhul Qa`dah, 1427)
Elections Applauded by Women Candidates, Voters
Shadiah Abdullah, Arab News
ABU DHABI, 19 December 2006 - The UAE's National Council elections has
differentiated itself from the political processes in the region through the
strong participation of women, both as candidates and as part of the electoral
college.
The strong participation is also visible through the fact that 14 percent
of the candidates and 17 percent of the electoral college are women.
The participation of the women reflects the tolerance of UAE society,
known for its understanding and acceptance of women's participation in public
life.
The leadership of the UAE has always emphasized and encouraged this role.
While on a tour of the polling station in Dubai, Mohammad ibn Rashid
Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai,
said that he was most encouraged by the participation of women in the electoral
process. "The huge participation is a positive thing, and what pleases me most
is the participation of women," he told reporters. "Where there are no women,
there is no spirit ... we want to support the first step and build on this in
the future."
One of the candidates, Suhailah Ghubash, a 30-year-old event sponsorship
manager, said she was proud to take part in the elections. "As an Emirati woman
I feel that there are certain issues that need to be focused on. Education is
the cornerstone of progress; if we do not have a good educational system then
we would always be behind other nations in terms of progress," she said. "I
wanted to take part in this historic event as I feel that it will help in the
interest of my country."
Another candidate, Mona Busamra, was encouraged to take part because of
the great support that she gets from government.
"I have never felt discriminated against because of my gender," she said.
"The opposite is true. I have always felt that my country has provided the best
of everything for me."
Busamra, who works as journalist for one of the Arabic dailies, was
heartened by the fact that a woman had already secured one of the seats.
"The fact that Dr. Amal (Al-Qubaisi) was elected just shows how
progressive the UAE is in terms of women rights," said Busamra. "She was
elected and was not appointed to the seat by the government like in the other
countries."
The elections, she said, is not her first democratic experience. "My
election to the journalist's association was the first step, and this will be
the second step," she said.
Meshgan Al-Awar is one of the strong candidates for the seats in Dubai.
Running a campaign under the slogan "what is difficult we do today, what is
impossible we do tomorrow," Al-Awar said she has a lot to offer to the National
Council. Currently the director of Research and Studies Center at Dubai Police
Academy, Al-Awar is also the secretary general of the higher committee of the
Zayed International Prize for the Environment as well as the managing editor of
the Society and Environment magazine
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