Arab Women Making Strides: Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
International Women’s Day is a global celebration that takes place on the 8th of March every year to celebrate women’s achievements, success, and glory. So we decided to start our celebration today, continuing until the 8th. Every day we’re going to shed light on one of our favorite Arab women who are making important strides in changing our societal perceptions on gender role and equality.
And today we feature Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, one of Forbes Most Powerful Arab Women 2015 list and the UAE’s Minister of State for Tolerance. She is also an Emirati politician, a princess of the Royal family of Sharjah in the UAE, and most importantly, the first woman to be involved in the ministerial decision-making process.
Her Excellency’s current position goes in line with the UAE’s new cabinet mission to promote tolerance and install its core principles as a fundamental value in the UAE community and global levels.
Previous to Sheikha’s current role, in 2004 her excellency was named as Minister of Economy, and was actually the first woman in the UAE to hold a ministerial position. And in 2008 she was appointed as Minister of Foreign Trade and was also tasked between 2013 and 2016 as Minister of International Cooperation and Development.
Besides her ministerial position, Sheikha Lubna also holds several distinguished positions that include President of Zayed University, The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and The Emirates Foundation for Youth Development. Her Excellency is also a member of the Governing Board of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at The National University of Singapore, and many local and international organizations. According to United Arab Emirates Cabinet.
Sheikha Lubna’s continuous efforts and ambition made it all possible for all young women to dream bigger and set their goals in holding high-ranking positions in the government; nothing is impossible.
