ABU DHABI // Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the widow of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, the founder of the nation, was honoured with an award for her humanitarian and social work at the Middle East Film Festival (Meiff) yesterday. The Cinema Vérité prize was presented at the Emirates Palace by the French-Algerian film director Yamina Benguigui, the official WAM news agency reported.
Benguigui, who is known for her films on gender issues, highlighted the tireless work undertaken by Sheikha Fatima regionally and internationally, especially in the arena of women's empowerment. She praised her efforts to strengthen the role of Emirati women in society and her role in founding the UAE alongside her husband, saying that she is an "ideal role model". Sheikha Fatima is chairwoman of the UAE's General Women's Union. Last month she launched a fund to assist refugee women and children in countries including Afghanistan, Congo, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan. Earlier this year she donated land for the construction of a shelter to provide housing, health care and social support to victims of human trafficking.
lmorris@thenational.ae