Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak praises achievements of Emirati Women

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), today, expressed her pride in the achievements of Emirati women and their contribution to the UAE’s progress and development, based on knowledge and sincere work. H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak praised the contribution of Emirati women in achieving the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership and highlighted their keenness to actively participate in the public and private sectors.

In a speech delivered on her behalf by Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, at an event organised by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to mark the UAE’s 8th annual Emirati Women’s Day, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak praised the commitment of ADNOC’s senior management to implement the directives of the wise leadership and commended the progress made by ADNOC’s female employees, pointing out that women now occupy some of the highest leadership positions in the company.

H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak noted that ADNOC’s female employees are a clear example of the great contribution Emirati women are making to the UAE and their progress and development.

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak said, “Every year I witness the steady progress you are making in increasing your percentage at work, advancing professionally, and developing your performance through training, practice and experience. This has enhanced your skills and abilities and enabled you to make effective and distinguished contribution to your country.

“I was pleased to note that you are working across all ADNOC sites and benefiting from the opportunities made available in response to the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and with the commitment of ADNOC and Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, who steadfastly implemented the leadership’s directives for women empowerment. Women now occupy the highest leadership positions in ADNOC and are no longer a numerical percentage of ADNOC’s workforce, but strong and influential human capital, instrumental in the company’s progress.”

To mark Emirati Women’s Day, ADNOC signed the United Nation’s (UN) Women’s Empowerment Principles, the primary vehicle for corporate delivery on the gender equality dimensions of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The principles include commitments to high level corporate female leadership; education and training for career advancement; equal pay for work of equal value; gender-responsive supply chain practices. This underlines ADNOC’s commitment to gender diversity and to enabling women to build fulfilling careers and play key roles as it future-proofs its business.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), said the participation of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, in ADNOC’s annual celebration of Emirati Women’s Day is the biggest evidence of the important role of women in ADNOC and in serving the nation. He described Her Highness’ speech as motivating and inspiring to all female workers in ADNOC who are pivotal in ensuring ADNOC remains a reliable supplier of energy to the world and a key catalyst for the UAE’s growth and diversification.

“Empowering Emirati women has always been a consistent approach laid down by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and today, our wise Leadership are keen to provide opportunities for them to unlock their full potential to enable them to participate fully in the economic and social progress of the nation,” Dr. Al Jaber said.

Dr. Al Jaber added that ADNOC is proud of the positive contribution of its female employees who are also helping to change perception about women working in the energy sector.

He stressed that the company will continue to attract and integrate female talent in all areas of its business, with career advancement based on qualification, merit, and performance. He cited ADNOC’s progress in increasing the percentage of Emirati women working across the organisation and in its oil and gas fields.

Currently, over 1,000 women work across ADNOC’s onshore and offshore sites, including the oil and gas industry’s first all-female leadership team of engineers on a site, at ADNOC’s Rumaitha field in Abu Dhabi as well as ADNOC’s first set of female drilling supervisors.

“ADNOC continues to empower women by providing everything necessary to encourage female employees to build successful careers in the energy sector. ADNOC has put in place policies and initiatives that encourage women’s participation and promote a balance between work and family life and we have provided all the necessary facilities to meet the needs of female employees in our offices, plants, and onshore and offshore fields,” Dr. Al Jaber said.

Dr. Al Jaber noted women occupy 20 percent of management positions in ADNOC, including three CEOs, and women are represented on the boards of directors of 16 out of 18 ADNOC Group companies. In addition, ADNOC’s In-Country Value programme has enabled the employment of over 1,500 Emirati women in the UAE’s private sector since the inception of the programme in 2018.

Dr. Al Jaber urged ADNOC employees to redouble their efforts and embrace the spirit of collaboration, enhance ADNOC’s contribution to the sustainable growth of the UAE and capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead in the fast-evolving energy landscape.

ADNOC’s Emirati Women’s Day event was held at ADNOC Business Centre and broadcasted live to thousands of employees across the company’s operations. The event included TED style talks, during which ADNOC females employees shared their personal experiences of the UAE and ADNOC. The celebration concluded with the presentation of the annual ADNOC Gender Balance Awards.

ADNOC continues to nurture an inclusive pipeline of talent. 34 percent of the total number of UAE Nationals employed across the ADNOC Group from 2020 to 2021 are female. In addition, females comprise 48 percent of students impacted by ADNOC’s science technology engineering and mathemetics (STEM) education programmes, 50 percent of ADNOC’s Knowledge Bridge STEM students and 48 percent of students supported by ADNOC’s scholarship programme.