A Global Women’s Forum was held in Dubai this week. The Forum was graced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who presented medals of honour to Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and to Queen Rania Abdullah.
While giving her keynote address at the Global Women’s Forum Dubai, Queen Rania told a packed hall at Madinat Jumeirah, “We share a common challenge—to actively fight currents that are trying to throw us centuries behind. Despite best attempts and achievements, we are restricted by conflicts and backward ideologies”.
Earlier, the dignitaries and delegates were welcomed on behalf of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and Chairperson of Dubai Women’s Establishment (DWE), by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice-President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and President of DWE.
“We are honoured and proud to host the Global Women’s Forum in the Arab World for the first time. We are inspired by the path of innovation shown by our leadership.
“The future is full of opportunities,” Al Marri said, as she invited Queen Rania to give her keynote address.
Queen Rania, following up on the ‘moulds’ that restrict women said: “We have to break the moulds that shape women and girls from the moment they are born. These moulds, which have been passed on through generations, restrict development of a woman’s capability, talent and ambition. We must carefully select from our history and culture the principles that give every woman the opportunity to spread her wings and show us her distinct colours.
She said such moulds are based on culture and not religion. “Islam freed women from age of ignorance. They were traders, farmers, warriors and businesswomen,” she pointed out.
She said: “It is in our hands – with the promise of modern technology and innovation – to overcome any barriers facing women.
“Innovation breaks moulds. Innovation possibilities are infinite. Employ modern technology to create new society,” Queen Rania said while praising the UAE leadership in creating an atmosphere for innovation to succeed.