Woman ambassador hails UAE rulers 

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Shaikha Najlaa Mohamed Al Qasimi has hailed the UAE leadership for appointing two women, including herself, as ambassadors — a first for the country.

The appointment of the first two female ambassadors in the UAE's history was approved by the Cabinet on Monday. "Emirati women have now been appointed ambassadors to European countries. This reflects the great confidence that the country's leadership bestows on them," said Shaikha Najlaa, who was appointed ambassador to Sweden. She was working as First Secretary at the UAE's permanent delegation to the United Nations in Europe.

The other UAE woman, Dr Hissa Al Otaiba, a member of the United Nations International Forum for Women, has been appointed ambassador to Spain. Najlaa said the step comes as an appreciation of the role of the Emirati woman in all spheres of society. The appointment of women ambassadors follows on the heels of a Cabinet reshuffle this year, which added two female ministers, bringing their total number to four.

Aisha Sultan Ibrahim Khalifa, a founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and the Human Rights Association, who is currently Political Programme Manager at Dubai Media, hailed the move saying such steps were crucial to changing cultural stereotypes about women's roles. "We need to enhance women's participation in the political process to change this mentality," she said.