UAE: UAE General Women’s Union Praises MEPI

With the presence of UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and representatives of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and foreign ambassadors, the UAE General Women Union (GWU) launched UNIFEM's Biennial Global Report, Progress
of the World's Women 2008/2009 last week. The report features new data and calls for
stronger accountability systems to move from commitments on women's rights. During the launch ceremony, the Legal Adviser of the GWU told the audience that 600 Emirati women were empowered through MEPI-sponsored programs and cooperation, especially thru the MEPI Women in Technology (WIT) program.
UAEG representatives expressed willingness to cooperate with MEPI to develop programs
on countering domestic violence, while UNIFEM's Deputy Director said they want to learn from and cooperate with MEPI programs related to women's political empowerment,
especially programs dedicated to further empower Arab woman MPs. UNIFEM has a project
entitled “Arab Women Parliamentarians.”