Geneva: The General Women's Union (GWU) has launched the "Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for Digital Leadership for African Women" under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, "Mother of the Nation," Chairwoman of the GWU, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.
According to Emirates News Agency, the initiative was announced during the GWU's participation in the Youth Knowledge Forum, held as part of WSIS+20 and hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland. The event was attended by international leaders and young professionals from around the world.
The initiative highlights the UAE's commitment to empowering young women and underscores their role as pivotal partners in international development initiatives. The Youth Knowledge Forum, serving as a platform for launching the initiative, aims to empower young people and engage them in addressing the challenges of digital transformation. This aligns directly with the initiative's vision of developing the skills of African women and equipping them to lead technological advancement in their societies.
Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, GWU Secretary-General, emphasized that the initiative reflects the UAE's dedication to strengthening humanitarian and knowledge-based cooperation globally. She stated, "Today, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, 'Mother of the Nation,' we are taking a new strategic step by launching the 'Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for Digital Leadership of African Women,' which we consider a knowledge bridge and a model for sustainable development that connects Emirati expertise and innovations with the aspirations of African women."
Eng. Ghalia Ali Al-Mannai, Head of GWU-Strategic and Development Affairs, noted that the initiative aligns with the Mother of the Nation 50:50 Vision, which emphasizes women's contributions to development and future readiness. The program will be led by qualified Emirati professionals who will share expertise with women and girls across Africa, providing them with digital skills to effectively participate in the digital economy.
The initiative includes two tracks. The "Digital Academy for Supporting Digital Transformation" is dedicated to enhancing the technical capabilities of female professionals in government entities, the private sector, and civil society organizations. Meanwhile, the Fatima bint Mubarak Program for Empowering African Women in Digital Innovation focuses on young, creative girls, providing essential programming and innovation skills through intensive workshops culminating in a hackathon.
This comprehensive approach aims to create an ecosystem of expertise that combines the competence of leading women with the enthusiasm of young innovators, ensuring the development of a generation of African women capable of leading the digital future.