Under the auspices of Sheikha Fatima/ the launch of an initiative "It leads Africa" In partnership between the Emirates and Swatini to enhance the empowerment of women and digital inclusion

New York, September 29/ WAM/ The eighties of the United Nations General Assembly in New York witnessed the launch of the “It leads Africa” initiative, under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak “Mother of the Emirates”, President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, and within the framework of the global councils initiatives for sustainable development goals, with the aim of supporting the fifth goal concerned with achieving gender balance.
This initiative represents a pioneering strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Aswatini, and aims to empower women and girls, enhance digital inclusion and consolidate women’s leadership in the African continent.

The launch ceremony witnessed the presence of His Majesty King Meswati III, the king of the Kingdom of Aswatini, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, His Excellency Savana Mazia, Minister of Information, Communications and Technology in the Kingdom of Swatini, President of the World Council for the Fifth goal of sustainable development goals, His Excellency Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, General Secretary of the General Women’s Union, His Excellency Hanan Mansour Al Ahly, Director of the Federal Center for Competition Statistics, along with the delegations of the participating countries and experts from international organizations.
The launch event included signing a partnership agreement between the General Women’s Union, the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics, and the Ministry of Information and Communications and Technology in the Kingdom of Swatini, to frame the official cooperation of the “It leads Africa” ​​initiative and convert the common vision into tangible programs and outputs on the ground.
The “She leads Africa” ​​initiative focuses on empowering women and girls in the Kingdom of Swatini, in the age group from 18 to 35 years, by providing them with future skills in the areas of artificial intelligence, science and technology, climate innovation, and digital technologies, in addition to enhancing awareness of digital safety and cybersecurity, and combating gender -based online violence over the Internet.
The initiative seeks to enhance cooperation between the countries of the south and develop an innovative model that can be applied in other African countries.
His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan stressed that the initiative represents an important step that reflects the deep UAE’s belief that empowering women means empowering society.
He said that the launch of this initiative embodies the principle of global cooperation, and confirms that change is not achieved in isolation from others, but rather through effective partnerships that enhance equality and accelerate the positive transformation, and today Emirati women stand proudly as a scientist, diplomacy, a pioneer and a changing maker, and our national experience is a message of inspiration for all women of the world.
For the UAE, Africa is not just a partner, but rather a real inspiration; It is the continent of steadfastness, creativity and unlimited capabilities. We have stood alongside African countries for decades in the areas of health, education, clean energy and human relief, because of our belief that real development begins with man, with his talent, ambition and ability to form a bright future.
His Excellency pointed out that the launch of this initiative embodies the principle of global cooperation, and confirms that the change is not achieved in isolation from others, but rather through effective partnerships that enhance equality and accelerate the positive transformation, and today and with the support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak “Mother of the Emirates”, Emirati women are proudly standing as a scientist, diplomacy, pioneer and changing maker.
For its part, His Excellency Noura Khalifa Al -Suwaidi stressed that the initiative comes as a practical translation of the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak “Mother of the Emirates”, which since the founding of the General Women’s Union in 1975 launched the first national mechanism to empower women in the UAE, so that women move from illiteracy to leadership and from local to global influence.
She added that after fifty years of achievements, we continue to work to achieve the “Mother of the Emirates Vision 50:50” until 2075, which constitutes a strategic framework that establishes the role of Emirati women as a major partner in development and decision -making.

She stressed the commitment to transfer this successful experience to the world, and to enhance the presence of women in all vital sectors in a way that guarantees them equal opportunities and ability to lead sustainable development.
For its part, His Excellency Hanan Mansour Al -Ahly stressed that the initiative represents a leading global platform for digital empowerment for women, as it opens not only the horizons of technology, but also puts women at the heart of the march of digital transformation.
She explained that the fifth goal of the sustainable development goals is not just a global commitment, but rather a promise of a future in which opportunities are available to everyone, and through the “It leads Africa” ​​initiative, the UAE embodies its commitment to support and empowering women at the local and global levels by enhancing digital inclusion and advancing the sustainable development process.
For her part, Eng. Ghalia Ali Al -Mannai, Head of Strategic and Development Affairs in the General Women’s Union, indicated that the initiative represents a practical model for influential partnerships led by the UAE in cooperation with its international partners to enhance equality and empower women globally, especially in the fields of technology, climate innovation and digital security.

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