Female FNC candidates determined to be heard

14 Emirati women unveiled their campaign plans while explaining the FNC’s role to women and school children at a Dubai Women’s Association meeting on Tuesday.

Salha Khalifa said she had cut back on advertising after the deaths of Emirati soldiers in Yemen. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

DUBAI // Women are determined to have their issues heard at the FNC and provide role models for female participation in the electoral process, candidates say.

From lawyers and police officers to entrepreneurs and poets, 14 of the 76 female candidates unveiled their campaigns and explained the FNC’s role to women and pupils at the Dubai Women’s Association on Tuesday.

Some hope to help young Emiratis set up their own businesses, others to provide jobs for women and youths.

All have a long-held dream to represent their people.

“I decided to stand because I know I can do more and I want to help my country,” said Rasha Al Danhani, owner of Pappa Roti cafes. “We need our voice to reach there because we have some good ideas.”

Ms Al Danhani said successful businesses should pay 5 per cent of profits to young Emirati entrepreneurs. “This will help with economic development.”

Ms Al Danhani will also outline plans for women and special-needs groups on social media.

Seham Al Falahi, head of finance for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, said she wanted to carry the people’s voice to the authorities.

Ms Al Falahi will focus on employment and empowerment of youths and women.

“For the public to put their trust in you makes you feel you are contributing to the country,” she said.

“People will also understand how important it is to vote, so a high percentage will vote this year.

“This is an opportunity for us to make sure that women have more seats in the FNC.”

This year 224,279 Emiratis are eligible to vote compared with 135,308 in the 2011 elections. More than two thirds of the electorate are under 40 and nearly half are women.

Some of the female candidates said they had cut back on advertising and promotional material after the deaths of Emirati soldiers in Yemen this month.

“I was planning to publicise my work, but the country is sad and families are sad,” said Salha Khalifa, a lawyer who works in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.

“So I will only speak about how our education system can be made stronger, because our children will later handle our country.”

Building family healthcare centres in far-flung areas such as Hatta was part of the campaign plan for Amal Al Wishahi, a trainer with Dubai Police.

“I will do my best to support the northern areas of Fujairah and Hatta that are weak in health care, so there are better buildings and equipment for families,” Ms Al Wishahi said.

“If elected, I will also focus on welfare of women and families.”

Sheikha Saad, who is from Hatta and is eligible to vote, said residents from the more distant parts of the UAE needed their concerns to be heard.

“Hatta is far from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. People listen to them but not many listen to us,” said Ms Saad, a first-time voter.

“It is good if our suggestions about jobs, education and women’s issues are listened to.”

Meanwhile, the National Election Commission and the UAE Gender Balance Council have signed an agreement to enhance women’s participation in the election.