By Bernama
Abu Dhabi : The Ministry of Justice will revise the judiciary law to pave the way for women to join the judicial corps, Justice Minister Dr. Hadef Al Dhahiri disclosed on Monday.
“The Justice Ministry is determined through its strategic plan to give women the opportunity in the judicial sector by amending the judiciary law to allow them to sit on judge bench. This will open up the judiciary door before women at federal level,” Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted the minister as saying at the opening session of the woman and judiciary conference here.
Organised jointly by the General Women Union (GWU) and the Institute for Judicial Training and Studies under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the two day-event was graced by Kholoud Al Dhahiri, first female judge in UAE, Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs and senior Justice Ministry officials.
The minister said that while organisers were engaged in preparing for this conference President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, an Emiri decree appointing Kholoud Ahmed Juwan Al Dhahiri as a primary judge at the Abu Dhabi Judiciary Department to become the first woman judge in the country.
“We congratulate her for taking up the position of judge for the first time in the UAE,” he added.
He indicated that a group of UAE women trained by the Institute had already taken their position as public prosecutors in Abu Dhabi.
The minister said that the UAE women had received high standard of education which qualifies them to join all walks of life.
The UAE women have left their visible hallmarks and touches in every sector they get involved in, he noted.
According to him, the UAE women had occupied many senior positions and had proven to the world that they are not less productive than men.
“This meeting is being held under the umbrella of the federal government strategy which calls for broadening participation of women in national work.
“Women have lived up to the expectations by holding senior positions in various fields including minister and MP,” he added.
He explained that speakers from the UAE, Gulf and Arab World will deliver presentations and share experiences in regards women’s foray into the judiciary.
Addressing the gathering, Noura Al Suweidi, Director General of GWU, affirmed that remarkable achievements made by women in the UAE were based on a solid ground of support from the President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other UAE leaders.
‘The UAE leaders are keen to see women occupy their proper stature in different fields so as to contribute along with their partner (men) to the national development.
“Engagement of a woman in the judicial corps epitomises the prudence of the UAE leadership,” she said.
“Today, the UAE has four women ministers and nine members at the Federal National Council, one of the highest rates worldwide,’ she said, affirming that women’s presence in different positions of responsibility will further be consolidated in the coming period.
Highlighting Sheikh Khalifa’s resolution on the appointment of Khaloud Al Dhahiri as the first woman judge in the country, Al Suweidi indicated that it is a perfect application of the UAE constitution which guarantees complete equality between citizens in terms of work and equal opportunities without discrimination between man and woman.
According to her, the vital move underlines the UAE leadership’s sincere desire to involve women in the comprehensive development of the country and her major role in the society.
“The move is yet another success added to the bright record achievements of UAE women,” she concluded.