ABU DHABI // The first mobile application documenting the life of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, was among three apps presented by the General Women’s Union at the Dubai Smart Government Exhibition and Conference that ended on Wednesday.
The women’s union (GWU), the only female social service authority to participate in the three-day conference, said the Sheikha Fatima app was one of the most popular.
“During the exhibition, we had many visitors who wanted to download the application and know more about the sheikha, which is why we will launch it soon in English and French,” said Ghalya Al Mannaee, head of IT at the GWU. It is available only in Arabic.
Although the app was released in March, this week was the first time it was publicised at a conference. It was promoted alongside an electronic service for Emirati women, which was officially released at the start of the event.
“We wanted to compile a database on female Emirati leaders who have had an influential role in the UAE,” Ms Al Mannaee said. “It can be used as a reference to other organisations who are interested in supporting or promoting Emirati leaders.”
Another goal is to present the achievements of women in the region to the rest of the world.
“It is always said that women in the UAE do not have rights and there are many negative rumours on the rights of women in the UAE,” she said. “We would like to show and prove to the world that these are false rumours and women in the Emirates have achieved a lot.”
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi and Noura Al Kaabi are among the women already registered.
“We expect to have thousands of Emirati women registered in this database soon,” Ms Al Mannaee said.
A GWU committee reviews all applications to determine their eligibility.
“The applicant has to have had a strong impact on any sector within the community to be labelled as an Emirati leader, whether it is health, education and so on,” she said.
The final app presented was an electronic “shop” for creative women. It is exclusively for Emiratis who want to sell handmade products.
“This is 100 per cent Emirati,” Ms Al Mannaee said. “Sellers are not allowed to buy something and then sell it. They have to have done it themselves.”
Launched in March, the online shop already has 2,159 products and 218 traders registered.
“Our aim is to encourage Emirati women with limited means to be productive. The application has been very successful and we have a waiting list of more than a 100 Emirati women who want to register,” Ms Al Manaee said.
The Sheikha Fatima link and registration for the leadership database is at the General Women's Union website.
salnuwais@thenational.ae
