WAM Sharjah, May 16th, 2012 (WAM)--H. H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and President of American University of Sharjah (AUS) has hailed Emirati woman for her constant quest for education and perseverance.

He cited the greater role of Emirati woman in Sharjah, especially in the area of child and family care under the leadership of H. H. Sheikha Jowaher bint Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, which has been providing the services for 20 years.

The Ruler of Sharjah made the remarks, while delivering the speech at the 11th Annual Conference of the Arab International Women's Forum (AIWF) at the AUS today.

In his inaugural speech, Dr Peter Heath, Chancellor of AUS thanked the forum for cooperation with the AUS to help include women in the world of business in private sector. "The Arab International Women's Forum works tirelessly to create a network that links businesswomen for the purpose of nation development." Haifa Fahoum Al Kailani, founder and chairperson of the Arab International Women's Forum, a keynote speaker of the forum, said, "if we want to make gender equality in the region, the Arab community must build a strategy and sustainable economic policy based on the Arab people's rights." Themed, "Emerging Economies, Emerging Leaderships: Arab Women and Youth as Drivers of Change," the forum brings together the leading professionals and governmental leaders within the private sector and civil society, as well as experts from academia and the media.

Present were Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, Director of the Sharjah Statistics Centre, Major General Humaid Al Hudaidi, General Commander of Sharjah Police and other senior officials.

WAM/MN