2009-06-24 13:25:28
WAM ABU DHABI, June 24th, 2009: UAE women have made remarkable achievements employing technology in service of the community, thanks to the efforts and generous support of H.H Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak President of the UAE Women's General Union (WGU) The GWU was among the first UAE institutions to use the latest tehnology to empower women, further advance their status and enable them take part in the process of building the nation.
Under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima, GWU, in November 2006, launched Women in Technology programme which serves as a perfect example of a public private partnership program designed to empower women through e-literacy.
Women in Technology is a regional public-private partnership program funded by the U.S. Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative --or MEPI--and works in partnership with the General Women's Union and its several partners throughout the Emirates.
Considered as one of the most successful women's training programs in the region, Women in Technology for the Middle East and North Africa seeks to empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform through helping women acquire skills in business planning and entrepreneurship and learn a wide-range of computer programs through Microsoft's Unlimited Potential training.
Sheikha Fatima has extended strong support to Women in Technology participants to help them polish their communication, leadership and business writing skills. The participants join a network through which they connect, engage in community service activities and share resources to help them to advance in their careers or enter the job market.
On remarks last April in Abu Dhabi, U.S Ambassaor Richard G. Olson, Jr. saluted Sheikha Fatima her patronage and unwavering support for this program, and her dedication to empowering women throughout the UAE, as well as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi for his support for women's issues. Olson also commended the tremendous work and accomplishments of the Women in Technology Program in the United Arab Emirates. The efforts of the General Women's Union, the Institute of International Education, an American not for profit institution, and Microsoft were also also highlighted by Ambassador Olsen.
The United Arab Emirates, he said, continues to show its dedication to improving the lives of its people. Over the past 37 years, the Emirates' investment in improving education and effectively eliminating illiteracy, improving and providing health care to its citizens, and adapting to rapid change while also maintaining its traditions and cultural values, should be commended.
Sheikha Fatima spared no efforts to supoport the use of technology as a tool to enhance women's lives, ans this represents just one example of the cross-cultural work the Emirates is doing to show its commitment to being a responsible global citizen and creating a better future for its people.
GWU is actively supporting MEPI, a unique inititaive in that it focuses on partnerships to build bridges between the United States and the Middle East through creative projects working to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform.
MEPI projects reach out directly to Non Governmental Organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and other local groups, as well as governments, in providing direct support to the people of the region in addressing locally identified priorities and opportunities.
The Women in Technology project in the UAE is a perfect example of a public private partnership program designed to empower women - in this case, through "e-literacy." Women acquire skills in Business Planning and Entrepreneurship and learn a wide-range of computer programs through Microsoft's Unlimited Potential training. Women in Technology participants also polish their communication, leadership and business writing skills. The participants join a network through which they connect, engage in community service activities and share resources to help them to advance in their careers or enter the job market.
The program also provides tools and intensive instruction and coaching to local partner organizations, such as the Western Region Development Council here in the UAE. This enables them to operate their training centers on a long-term basis. The program provides support for a cost-recovery business model and reduces partners' dependence on external sources of funding.
This is very powerful. And it ensures that partner organizations have the knowledge and tools to expand their reach and ability to serve women in their communities long into the future, in other words, sustainability.
The Women in Technology program has been implemented in collaboration with fifty (50) local partner organizations across nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa. To date, the program has trained more than 6,000 women in the region. The program is managed by the Institute of International Education, a not-for-profit organization based in the United States. The Institute has been developing and administering high quality international education, training and leadership programs worldwide since 1919.
In the private sector, Microsoft Corporation has been a generous supporter and partner of Women in Technology throughout the region. Microsoft has provided more than $1 million in cash, equipment and in-kind contributions to the program since 2005. In 2008, Microsoft recognized Women in Technology with the "Outstanding Partnership Award" for its innovative partnership model between local and international organizations and the private sector.
Microsoft continues to serve as a model in its commitment to empower women by providing knowledge and skills through its high-quality, globally-recognized training. In addition to donating curricula packages to all fifty partner organizations in the region, Microsoft has funded the preparation of nearly 250 trainers to deliver its Unlimited Potential curriculum. Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a global initiative designed to narrow the technology skills gap and aid global workforce development. Without Microsoft's ongoing partnership and support to Women in Technology throughout the Middle East and North Africa, this program would not be possible.
GWU is a lead local partner of MEPI since the program was launched in the UAE in 2006. It has been a pioneer in women's development in the UAE under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
The General Women's Union's commitment to the partnership has allowed Women in Technology to gain recognition and reach women well beyond Abu Dhabi. Due to this strong foundation, Women in Technology was able last year to enter into a formal partnership with the Western Region Development Council, which has provided the extensive financial and logistical support needed to open new training centers for women in the Western Region.
WAM/MMYS
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Saudi Arabia: Workshops offer over 500 women top business tips
Walaa Hawari | Arab News
RIYADH: More than 500 Saudi businesswomen and investors are attending four training workshops here today and tomorrow.
Consultants in international trade and international law will conduct them at the 4th Saudi Businesswomen Forum entitled “Active Direction in the Business Environment to Face Economic Changes.”
The workshops have been organized by the women’s branch of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and will include outlining procedures for cooperation with international companies as promising investing opportunities for Saudi women. “The forum aims at enhancing the qualifications of the Saudi businesswomen and investors in the face of the rapid changes the Saudi economy is undergoing through activating the powerful economic elements in the Kingdom and achieving development and economic ambitions on the long run,” said Huda Al-Juraisi, director of the organizing committee of the forum. Legal trainers will introduce international trade law, issues pertaining to contracts, content of trade contracts and means to solve disputes in international trade contracts.
According to Al-Juraisi, the forum is considered one of the biggest women’s economic, educational and cultural gatherings in the Kingdom.
“This year’s generous gesture by the businesswomen of sponsoring 150 students to attend the workshops and benefit from the presentations and experiences of the businesswomen free of charge, reflects the understanding of social responsibility which is part of the forum’s mission to support those interested in entering the business and investment world,” said Al-Juraisi.
Areej Bint Homoud Al-Ibraheem, owner of Nawart Najd PR Company — one of the sponsors — praised the Chamber’s efforts to involve businesswomen in economic progress.
Yet as a response to whether the forum is an opportunity for the businesswomen to put forward their demands, Al-Ibraheem says this forum is more of an educational experience.
“The forum is an occasion to present new visions and educate businesswomen about the recent economic status and inform them of the proper ways and means to face them,” explained Al-Ibraheem indicating that there are other events and conferences concerned with coming up with proposals and recommendations and forwarding them to officials.
Amal Zahed, owner of Secas Trading, said the forum offered a chance to sound the voice of Saudi businesswomen. “Such meetings reflect on the demands and needs of businesswomen, and the observation is passed on to the decision-makers to review,” says Zahed. “We should try and make ourselves heard through forums and meetings.”
RIYADH: More than 500 Saudi businesswomen and investors are attending four training workshops here today and tomorrow.
Consultants in international trade and international law will conduct them at the 4th Saudi Businesswomen Forum entitled “Active Direction in the Business Environment to Face Economic Changes.”
The workshops have been organized by the women’s branch of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and will include outlining procedures for cooperation with international companies as promising investing opportunities for Saudi women. “The forum aims at enhancing the qualifications of the Saudi businesswomen and investors in the face of the rapid changes the Saudi economy is undergoing through activating the powerful economic elements in the Kingdom and achieving development and economic ambitions on the long run,” said Huda Al-Juraisi, director of the organizing committee of the forum. Legal trainers will introduce international trade law, issues pertaining to contracts, content of trade contracts and means to solve disputes in international trade contracts.
According to Al-Juraisi, the forum is considered one of the biggest women’s economic, educational and cultural gatherings in the Kingdom.
“This year’s generous gesture by the businesswomen of sponsoring 150 students to attend the workshops and benefit from the presentations and experiences of the businesswomen free of charge, reflects the understanding of social responsibility which is part of the forum’s mission to support those interested in entering the business and investment world,” said Al-Juraisi.
Areej Bint Homoud Al-Ibraheem, owner of Nawart Najd PR Company — one of the sponsors — praised the Chamber’s efforts to involve businesswomen in economic progress.
Yet as a response to whether the forum is an opportunity for the businesswomen to put forward their demands, Al-Ibraheem says this forum is more of an educational experience.
“The forum is an occasion to present new visions and educate businesswomen about the recent economic status and inform them of the proper ways and means to face them,” explained Al-Ibraheem indicating that there are other events and conferences concerned with coming up with proposals and recommendations and forwarding them to officials.
Amal Zahed, owner of Secas Trading, said the forum offered a chance to sound the voice of Saudi businesswomen. “Such meetings reflect on the demands and needs of businesswomen, and the observation is passed on to the decision-makers to review,” says Zahed. “We should try and make ourselves heard through forums and meetings.”
Friday, November 21, 2008
Yemen: Empowering women in political participation
By: Shuaib Al-Mosawa For the Yemen Times
SANA'A, Nov. 21 — One hundred and sixty six female political activists from around the republic have been chosen for empowerment training for women in the political domain. The training was launched last week in a public event organized by the Supreme Commission for Election and Referendum (SCER) and funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Commission. The training is a component of a wider program to last until 2010 to support women's political participation with a special focus on the electoral process, especially the upcoming parliamentary elections in April 2009.
The International Federation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is also a key player in this program which is considered to be the first of its kind because it directs women's participation as candidates in the parliamentary elections with full support of the official organizations such as the elections’ commission and the GPC ruling party. In fact, the GPC had already spread banners across the main cities advocating for women's empowerment and their political rights.
Khaled Abdulwahab Al-Sharif, Chairman of the SCER, said that political illiteracy, the influence of social and cultural practices, and the novelty of the democratic experience are the main obstacles preventing women from obtaining their political rights. Al-Sharif pointed out that, despite the increased number of registered women in the voters records in 2006 compared to 1993, the individual achievements of women are declining and in need of more popular campaigning programs, such as a media strategy for the political empowerment of women.
The campaign will be formulated in a way that the media’s message reaches the public directly and is accepted by them. There will be strong emphasis on religion to support women's rights and to correct some of the traditional concepts that hinder women's political participation. The campaign plans to include a number of television, radio and print media interviews with respectable religious scholars in Yemen and in the Arab world who will vouch for women's political participation and clarify the position of Islam in this regard.
The media campaign will also target men and women in younger age groups, such as high school and university students, because youth are the potential change makers and future participants in the electoral process.
Moreover, according to the strategy's concept paper, there will be educational sessions on the laws and regulations that promote women's participation in the elections, as an example of the political participation of women in general.
Director of the SCER general department for women affairs Dr. Elham Abdulwahab explained that, in addition to the official and non-official media, there will be large mobile screens in the main streets presenting short documentaries and drama sketches to promote women's political participation.
Al-Sharif hoped that government institutions, political parties, and civil society organizations would have a responsibility to enhance women’s political participation in order for them to reach a reasonable percentage in both the parliament and local councils.
Pratibha Mehta, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, said, "It is indeed very commendable that SCER in Yemen has a separate department focusing on women's participation, something that many countries don’t have".
Mehta regretted that over the past three elections, there had been a decline in the number of successful women contesting in the elections, but stressed the importance of creating programs such as the ones organized by the commission’s women’s department to build the capacity of women to contest and participate in the next elections.
Michael Dorsaw, Charge d'Affaires of the European Union, said, "Actually, if gender were not such a big problem in Yemen, we would not be here today. Facts talk by themselves. Yemen has the worst gender indicators in the world. This must change; we must give a voice to 50 percent of the population."
He added that the EU had observed the local councils elections in 2006 and produced recommendations to enhance women’s participation in the election process. He described the fact of having only one elected women in Parliament as shocking, adding "this should change not for [women], but for Yemen."
He also said that they should kick off the process in the next days and weeks, and further stressed the importance of education, calling on political parties and civil society organizations to enhance the current situation of women.
IFES manager Peter Williams commented on the issue: "The parties have dialogued over the women's quota but no action is being made to make it happen". He pointed out that the international community is supporting Yemeni women because Yemeni men who are in position to do something about women's rights have do not do anything.
He added, "The parties like to talk about women’s rights because they think their words will look good, [but] words without actions are empty". He concluded his speech by exhorting those who have the power to take action: "Stop talking and do something constructive to make all your fine words a reality for Yemeni women."
Mehta recommended married women seek family support to actively participate in the electoral process, and stated that financial support could be a major obstacle to women’s running in the election. Mr. Williams, agreed with Mehta on the funding issue, commenting, "The political parties are given campaign funding but those who control the money are men; women do not receive any support like this.”
SANA'A, Nov. 21 — One hundred and sixty six female political activists from around the republic have been chosen for empowerment training for women in the political domain. The training was launched last week in a public event organized by the Supreme Commission for Election and Referendum (SCER) and funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Commission. The training is a component of a wider program to last until 2010 to support women's political participation with a special focus on the electoral process, especially the upcoming parliamentary elections in April 2009.
The International Federation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is also a key player in this program which is considered to be the first of its kind because it directs women's participation as candidates in the parliamentary elections with full support of the official organizations such as the elections’ commission and the GPC ruling party. In fact, the GPC had already spread banners across the main cities advocating for women's empowerment and their political rights.
Khaled Abdulwahab Al-Sharif, Chairman of the SCER, said that political illiteracy, the influence of social and cultural practices, and the novelty of the democratic experience are the main obstacles preventing women from obtaining their political rights. Al-Sharif pointed out that, despite the increased number of registered women in the voters records in 2006 compared to 1993, the individual achievements of women are declining and in need of more popular campaigning programs, such as a media strategy for the political empowerment of women.
The campaign will be formulated in a way that the media’s message reaches the public directly and is accepted by them. There will be strong emphasis on religion to support women's rights and to correct some of the traditional concepts that hinder women's political participation. The campaign plans to include a number of television, radio and print media interviews with respectable religious scholars in Yemen and in the Arab world who will vouch for women's political participation and clarify the position of Islam in this regard.
The media campaign will also target men and women in younger age groups, such as high school and university students, because youth are the potential change makers and future participants in the electoral process.
Moreover, according to the strategy's concept paper, there will be educational sessions on the laws and regulations that promote women's participation in the elections, as an example of the political participation of women in general.
Director of the SCER general department for women affairs Dr. Elham Abdulwahab explained that, in addition to the official and non-official media, there will be large mobile screens in the main streets presenting short documentaries and drama sketches to promote women's political participation.
Al-Sharif hoped that government institutions, political parties, and civil society organizations would have a responsibility to enhance women’s political participation in order for them to reach a reasonable percentage in both the parliament and local councils.
Pratibha Mehta, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, said, "It is indeed very commendable that SCER in Yemen has a separate department focusing on women's participation, something that many countries don’t have".
Mehta regretted that over the past three elections, there had been a decline in the number of successful women contesting in the elections, but stressed the importance of creating programs such as the ones organized by the commission’s women’s department to build the capacity of women to contest and participate in the next elections.
Michael Dorsaw, Charge d'Affaires of the European Union, said, "Actually, if gender were not such a big problem in Yemen, we would not be here today. Facts talk by themselves. Yemen has the worst gender indicators in the world. This must change; we must give a voice to 50 percent of the population."
He added that the EU had observed the local councils elections in 2006 and produced recommendations to enhance women’s participation in the election process. He described the fact of having only one elected women in Parliament as shocking, adding "this should change not for [women], but for Yemen."
He also said that they should kick off the process in the next days and weeks, and further stressed the importance of education, calling on political parties and civil society organizations to enhance the current situation of women.
IFES manager Peter Williams commented on the issue: "The parties have dialogued over the women's quota but no action is being made to make it happen". He pointed out that the international community is supporting Yemeni women because Yemeni men who are in position to do something about women's rights have do not do anything.
He added, "The parties like to talk about women’s rights because they think their words will look good, [but] words without actions are empty". He concluded his speech by exhorting those who have the power to take action: "Stop talking and do something constructive to make all your fine words a reality for Yemeni women."
Mehta recommended married women seek family support to actively participate in the electoral process, and stated that financial support could be a major obstacle to women’s running in the election. Mr. Williams, agreed with Mehta on the funding issue, commenting, "The political parties are given campaign funding but those who control the money are men; women do not receive any support like this.”
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