Empowering Women As A Strategic Pillar For Stable, Prosperous Societies, Says PAM Vice President

The UAE is highlighting its record on gender balance as it hosts the second session of the Women Parliamentarians Forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, organised by the Federal National Council. On the sidelines, Suhair Al Ali set out why empowering women is now seen as a core factor in political and social stability.

Suhair Al Ali, Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and Chair of the Second Standing Committee, told the Emirates News Agency that empowering women is a strategic choice for countries seeking cohesive, prosperous societies that can manage future pressures and risks, stressing that the approach links directly to sustainable development goals.

Al Ali explained that stronger regional and international parliamentary cooperation helps exchange successful experiences in women’s empowerment and align efforts across countries. According to Al Ali, parliaments play a central role through legislation and oversight of public policies, which can secure long-term, effective participation of women in political, economic, and social sectors.

Al Ali described the UAE’s experience in empowering women as a model at regional and international levels. Al Ali highlighted the decision to raise women’s representation in the Federal National Council to 50 percent, noting that this reflects a clear belief in women as essential partners in decision-making and in national development strategies.

Women's empowerment, equality, and sustainable security

According to Al Ali, empowering women across political, economic, and social fields, together with applying equality, forms a main pillar for security and social peace. Al Ali noted that when women participate in development programmes in all sectors, they strengthen national development policies in countries around the world and broaden the base of societal participation.

Women’s empowerment and the role of the Federal National Council

Al Ali also commended the Federal National Council for hosting the conference and for its ongoing commitment to constructive parliamentary dialogue on women’s issues. Al Ali underlined that such forums help refine policy ideas, support gender-balanced legislation, and encourage member states of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean to prioritise women’s empowerment in their agendas.

Al Ali’s comments at the Women Parliamentarians Forum show how women’s empowerment has become linked with security, stability, and development planning, while also positioning the UAE’s Federal National Council experience as a reference point for regional parliamentary cooperation under the umbrella of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.

With inputs from WAM