Abu Dhabi Hosts EmpowerHer Conference To Boost Women's Economic Empowerment In Africa And Latin America

The "EmpowerHer" conference, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, marked the launch of the "Accelerating Women's Economic Empowerment in Africa and Latin America" programme. Organised by UN Women, the General Women's Union, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this event took place at the General Women's Union in Abu Dhabi. It is part of a series aimed at supporting women's economic empowerment globally.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan highlighted that the conference aligns with the UAE's vision to foster interconnectedness and cooperation among nations. He stated, "Under the visionary and ambitious leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, our country continues its steadfast commitment to advancing women's empowerment as a key driver of a more sustainable and prosperous future."

The conference emphasised enhancing employment opportunities, expanding entrepreneurship, and promoting inclusive economic growth for women. This initiative particularly targets emerging markets in Africa and Latin America. The event is part of a broader effort led by the UAE to support women's global economic empowerment through annual conferences.

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, expressed pride in launching the programme. She said, "This high-level international gathering embodies the spirit of global cooperation and partnership for the empowerment of women and the enhancement of their roles within their societies and economies." The event sends a message that genuine women's empowerment is crucial for sustainable development.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi from ADDED stressed that empowering women is an economic imperative. He mentioned that inclusion is being integrated into Abu Dhabi's economic model to boost diversification and competitiveness. Strategic partnerships with entities like UN Women are key to fostering inclusive growth that enhances investor confidence.

Noura Al Suwaidi from the General Women's Union noted that this conference reflects the UAE's commitment to supporting women's issues globally. She stated that under H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak's leadership, efforts are made to promote fair participation of women in economic matters as a pillar for gender balance.

Key Themes Explored

The conference addressed several themes: global economic empowerment of women, gender-responsive procurement practices, private sector initiatives aligned with UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), and women's role in green economic transformation. These discussions aim to build strategic partnerships among stakeholders for inclusive growth opportunities.

Distinguished attendees included leaders from various sectors such as Lucie Berger from the EU Delegation to UAE and Moez Doraid from UN Women. Presentations covered topics like gender-responsive procurement based on UN Women reports, highlighting its importance in achieving gender equality.

Global Model for Cooperation

The partnership between the UAE and UN Women serves as a model for long-term cooperation between member nations and international organisations. This collaboration underscores the UAE's role in advancing women's economic empowerment globally, especially in emerging economies like Chile and Kenya.

Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi from UN Women GCC emphasised that this conference represents a pivotal moment for strategic partnerships with tangible impacts on emerging economies. The sessions focused on themes such as regional women's economic empowerment and private sector initiatives.

Future Conferences Planned

The strategic cooperation between UAE and UN Women will continue through annual conferences following "EmpowerHer." Future events will be held in Chile and Kenya to deepen dialogues on enhancing women's participation in global economies while addressing regional contexts.

Jemimah Njuki from UN Women highlighted that focusing on challenges in Africa and Latin America creates pathways for women to access opportunities. This cooperation aims at integrating international efforts for more just, sustainable growth centred around women’s roles in development.

With inputs from WAM