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Dubai Customs celebrated today, Tuesday 27th August the Emirati Women Day which is marked on 28th August every year. The Emirate Women Day has been announced for the first time on 15th August 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood. HH calls for tolerance to be the overriding theme for this year.  

The important day was added to Dubai Customs calendar to boost the recognition of women in the region and highlight their pivotal role in the community. The day is part of a bigger movement to increase female empowerment in the Middle East.

On the occasion, Dubai Customs launched the 1st Asayel Forum in the presence of 150 female employees from Dubai Municipality, RTA, Department of Economic Development (DED), Public Prosecution, Dubai Financial Department, General Directorate of Civil Defense, Community Development Authority, and General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, as well as 4 female employees from customs authorities of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaima. 

Asayel Forum is a Dubai Customs initiative, and it is the first female forum and gathering for government employees to discuss women’s affairs in the present and future. 

Shaikha Fatima is credited with adding humanitarian dimensions to public work involving women, through her key initiatives.

Emirati women have proven themselves in various positions, including as the Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), as ministers in the federal government, where nine female ministers make up 27 per cent of the ministerial assembly. They also have a presence in the diplomatic corps, armed forces, in national service, police and security.

Their presence in space sciences, technology, engineering and medicine is a key factor in the development of the country.

“The UAE prides itself on its comprehensive experience, clear vision and sustainable goals for women empowerment,” Mariam Khalifa Al-Shamsi, Head of the Women's Committee at Dubai Customs said. “This aligns with the national strategy for empowerment of Emirati women for the years 2015-21. The aim is to enable women’s creativity in all sustainable and developmental fields.

“Our wise leadership have raised the woman’s status and preserved her dignity and respect as urged by the Islamic faith. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan followed in the footsteps of his father and helped women participate in the nation’s development for he believes that both men and women should partake in the making of the nation’s success” she said.

The Forum focused on topics including happiness and positivity for women in the workplace and women’s role in customs field. 

More than 740 women work at Dubai Customs out of 3,000 employees, which translates into 25% of the total cadre. There are 201 women holders of university degrees, 436 working mothers and 228 female inspection officers. 

Al Shamsi highlighted that Dubai Customs provides all types of support to women at work and encourages them towards more innovation within a strategic empowerment strategy and in fulfilment of the directives and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The event included a number of contests, and the winners received valuable prizes. The Forum also discussed different issues including the UAE women empowerment strategy and a paper entitled “Stimulating Work Environment for Working Women in Customs Field” presented by Ghanima Ibrahim, Director of Refund and Maqasa Department. 

Farida Fadhil, Director of Customs Valuation Department presented a paper on the UAE women’s role in the past, present and future, and that women have always been real partners in economic and social development, even before oil discovery.