Photo: Wam
On Tuesday, March 21, Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza was honored with the Arab Woman Award at a ceremony in London. The prestigious accolade in the culture category is in recognition of her contribution towards female empowerment in the region and her philanthropic efforts across various countries.
Sheikha Fatima has been a pioneer when it comes to uplifting women and supporting culturally relevant initiatives, especially those related to the arts and sports. As chairwoman of the board of directors of the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and the Fatima bint Hazza Cultural Foundation, she has spearheaded several programs aimed at enriching the cultural scene within the UAE and the region as a whole.
The Arab London Foundation praised the Sheikha’s dedication to her role, saying, “Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan is committed to enhancing the role of women in various ways, as she is a supporter of sports and arts, and we are honored to bestow her with the Achievement Award in Cultural Development.”
With achievements such as improving access to education in Bangladesh, building schools in Kenya, and establishing the Fatima bint Hazza Fund for Emirati women to enable them to pursue higher education abroad, it is no surprise that Sheikha Fatima is being hailed as a champion for Arab women.
However, her philanthropy is not just limited to women. With youth-focused programs, Sheikha Fatima has also contributed towards enriching young people’s focus on areas such as art, literature, sustainability, and community interaction. Recently, the Fatima bint Hazza Cultural Foundation launched a series of short stories for young people that focus on culture, local identity, and sustainability.
After accepting her award at the eighth edition of the annual Arab Women Awards, Sheikha Fatima was full of praise for Emirati leaders and their efforts towards encouraging women in pursuing their dreams. She added that “effective participation and making progress and positive change are the core values that we have been raised on. I am proud to represent my country, the UAE, where women have not had to struggle to obtain their rights but have always been at the forefront since the establishment of the state.”
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