ABU DHABI // Emirati men were urged on Monday to support their wives, sisters and female professional colleagues in standing this year for election to the Federal National Council.
Women had already shown they were capable of holding parliamentary positions as well as leading roles in other sectors, said Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Federal National Council Affairs and chairman of the National Election Commission.
He said he hoped to see many female candidates at the elections in October.
“I wish to see women who are aware and capable, and I hope to see the men behind them with support.”
Female candidates who had succeeded in other professional fields would also benefit from the backing of other women, Dr Gargash said.
“The women now have support from their male counterparts and family members. It is to our benefit to have women in the council as they are a vital part of our community and the key to motivate them is by showing other women’s support.
“Friends, sisters, nieces all push each other to reach the limits.”
Although the number of eligible female voters, and therefore potential candidates, has more than doubled since 2006, women’s participation in FNC elections has traditionally been low.
At the last election in 2011, 46 per cent of the electoral college of nearly 130,000 were women. However, of the 468 eventual candidates only 85 were women, and there are only three female members of the existing 40-strong FNC.
This year there are 224,279 Emirati voters in the electoral college, of whom 48 per cent are women.
Successful candidates would know how to build relationships with the community, Dr Gargash said.
“I hope they will know how to communicate and fully network with the public and to reach and participate in the creation of needed laws and discussion.
“Today, women are able to succeed in the council by communicating with the public and creating a relationship with them. A woman who can organise her work and reach the youth, other women and all other demographics will be able to accumulate high votes,” he said.
Dr Gargash gave the example of Dr Sheikha Al Ari, a member from Umm Al Quwain, who he said won votes based on her own merits and credentials, something to which others must aspire.
“She did not receive votes because she was a woman, but because she was an educator and a caregiver to many generations,” he said. “The entire emirate knew of her and her work and her achievements, as well as her ability to assist them in her role.”
In an address to the General Women’s Union, Dr Gargash also said more women now had knowledge and experience in many fields, and voters would be able to realise the potential for change.
One woman at the lecture, Sara, 29, said she was excited to see what the new female members would bring to the forthcoming discussions.
“In the past four years we have seen vital changes in terms of education, health and societal changes overall,” she said. “I think with women in the council they will focus more on those issues as they, being the main party in the household, will know more of the needs and requirements.
“Women would be more able to comprehend the obstacles and problems within society to take them to the decision makers through the council. They will especially need to focus on issues that affect mothers, children and the family as men are not always aware.”
Dr Gargash called upon the audience to participate in the voting system and to support other women who would be running.
Voting will take place on October 3 at 36 election centres.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
