Sharjah unites global diplomats to mark women’s empowerment

To nurture cultural and diplomatic ties and strengthen international collaboration, the Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah, in partnership with the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (ICCC), organised the “Diplomatic Day for Women Ambassadors in the UAE” on Thursday.

The event brought together 10 ambassadors, alongside diplomats, and leaders, providing a platform for exchanging expertise on women’s empowerment and expanding their impact across sectors. It also highlighted the emirate’s leading role in supporting women, underscoring their vital contribution to development and driving their success.

The event was held in the presence of Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director-General of Rubu’ Qarn foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, Sheikha Hind Bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council; and Reem Bin Karam, Director General of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (ICCC); along with directors of Sharjah institutions.

Commenting on the event, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, said: “Sharjah is committed to cultivating effective diplomatic relations to foster meaningful partnerships that advance shared objectives. The event exemplifies our dedication to strengthening collaboration with diplomatic missions, facilitating dialogue and engagement to drive impactful and sustainable initiatives.”

“We are proud of DGR's female cadre and their significant contributions to fostering relationships with female ambassadors and diplomats worldwide, as well as with female leaders in Sharjah. Their efforts play a crucial role in expanding opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including charity, sports, women's empowerment, culture, education, environment, media, entrepreneurship, trade and industry, museums, and even family and child welfare."

On her part, Reem Bin Karam said: “We are pleased to partner in this event that welcomed ambassadors and diplomats at the Khor Kalba Centre. It provided an opportunity to highlight traditional crafts' crucial role in fostering cultural exchange and building communication bridges between nations.

It also opened avenues for exploring global collaboration and partnerships that support the sustainability of crafts and empower female artisans on a wider scale. Through this event, Irthi reaffirms its commitment to presenting heritage crafts in innovative and sustainable ways that reflect the identity of Emirati women and their contributions to the global cultural landscape. 

The event drew a distinguished group of diplomats and ambassadors to the UAE, including Sajeda Shawa, Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); Tuula Yrjola, Ambassador of Finland; Natalia Al Mansour, Ambassador of Slovenia; and Marie Opombo, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Irthi hosted a workshop for the women diplomats.

Other notable guests included Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of Malta; Dana Goldfinca, Ambassador of Latvia; Maria Belovas, Ambassador of Estonia; Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland; and Meropi Christofi, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus.

Additionally, the Diplomatic Day welcomed Dr. Annalee Cecelia Babb, Ambassador of Barbados; Dieminatou Sangare, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali; and Valentina Bernasconi, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mission in the UAE (ICRC).

Irthi workshop

During the event, Irthi hosted a workshop highlighting a range of traditional Emirati crafts infused with contemporary creativity. Participants had the opportunity to interact with skilled artisans and explore sustainable practices for adapting these crafts to meet global market demands. This initiative reflects Sharjah’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage while elevating traditional crafts' relevance within the cultural and economic spheres.

Al Qurm Nature Reserve

The programme also included a field visit to the Al Qurm Nature Reserve in Kalba, where participants explored the unique mangrove ecosystem which serves a vital role in protecting coastal areas from erosion caused by waves, currents, and tides. The reserve is also a sanctuary for endangered species, including the rare Arabian-collared kingfisher and the green turtle, highlighting its importance in biodiversity conservation.

The event featured prominent female leaders from various Sharjah institutions. Notable attendees included Halima Al Owais, Vice Chairperson of the Sharjah Consultative Council; Hana Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment & Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah; Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau; Mariam Al Hammadi, Director General of NAMA Women Advancement; Mariam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of the Sharjah Business Women Council and Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Also present were Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women's Sports and Aisha Deemas, Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority

The event further welcomed Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa); Hanadi Al Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety Department. Dr. Noura Al Teneiji, Director of Public Relations at the University of Al Dhaid and Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of the House of Wisdom added to the impressive roster.

Rounding out the esteemed list were Dr. Najwa Al Hosani, Chancellor of the University of Kalba; Alya Al Musaiebi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation, Lujan Mourad, Director of the Khalid Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation, and Mai Bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Head of partnerships and International Cooperation at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry also graced the occasion with their presence.