24 – 26 January 2023, Dubai and Abu Dhabi – The Presidency team of the PAM Women Parliamentary Forum (WPF) met in person in the UAE, at the kind invitation of H.E. Saqr Ghobash, President of the Federal National Council. On this occasion, PAM was represented by WPF President, Hon. Joana Lima (Portugal), and Vice Presidents Hon. Maryam Bin Theneya, and Hon. Fatma Abdi (Algeria).
On the first day, the members of they held a meeting in the Federal National Council, in Dubai, to review the activities of the Forum since its launch in Lisbon, in July 2022, and the planned activities for 2023, including the second session of the WPF, scheduled to take place in Amman on 5-6 June 2023. A number of possible field visits by the PAM WPF members were also discussed, including to refugee camps in the region.
On the second day, PAM delegates met with H.E. Noora Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the Women’s General Union, in Abu Dhabi. She highlighted the role of the UAE in offering training opportunities for women from several countries in matters of peacekeeping and in women seeking electoral mandate in future elections.
On the third and last day, PAM delegates visited the UAE Gender Balance Council. On this occasion, the PAM MPs were welcomed by H.E. Al Maari, who explained the history of the Council and its work towards legislation aimed at promoting women’s role in the Emirates. Later, they visited the Dubai Foundation for Women & Children. The Acting Director General of the Foundation, H.E. Sheikha Al Mansouri, presented the work of the Foundation towards the protection of women and girls victims of GBV, human trafficking, and children subjected to violence. Finally, at the end of the day, the PAM delegation visited the Women’s Museum.
During the three-day visit to the UAE, the PAM delegates also held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Saqr Ghobash, where progress in women empowerment was discussed. Moreover, Hon. Lima expressed PAM’s readiness to support the UAE in organizing and hosting the parliamentary dimension of COP 28.//