Jawaher Al Qasimi Calls for Greater Support and Recognition to the Guiding Movement in UAE

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the UAE Girl Guides (UAEGG), has called for more support for the guiding movement in the UAE and highlighted its essential role in nurturing a giving and socially responsible generation for the future.

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher made the statements as she chaired a meeting with members of the newly restructured board of directors of the UAEGG at the headquarters of the Sharjah Girl Guides (SGG). The meeting included the prospect of a new strategy for increasing the reach and participation of girl guides across the country, drawing upon Sharjah’s experience of the guiding movement, which, in 1973, became the first in the UAE. 

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher said that due to the qualities, values and principles it instills, supporting the movement is a national responsibility.

“The guiding movement plays a major role in developing the abilities and aspirations of children and young people by fostering their self-belief, confidence, love of exploration and the desire to give and serve the community. It inspires a sense of national pride, a desire to help society develop and at the same time, provides the practical skills and experience to turn these girls and young ladies into the leaders of the future,” she commented.

Her Highness continued: "I extend my profound thanks to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of the General women's Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and the Patron of the UAE Girl Guides Association, for her ongoing efforts and in uplifting community institutions in the UAE.”

Her Highness also extended her deep thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Chairman of General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, for supporting the UAE's guiding movement and the UAE Girl Guides in particular.

Her Highness concluded by saying: "The UAE's future strategy and far-reaching approach is based on investment in young men and women. Emirati girls are given a special attention by the country's leadership, and this requires us to begin at an early age to invest in and develop their abilities in various aspects of life by providing and supporting their own organisations."

The new board includes Mariam Al Rumaithi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Family Development Foundation, as the Deputy Chairperson of the UAEGG association. The board is composed of members representing the seven emirates. With its Deputy Chairperson is from Abu Dhabi, the members include Al Anood Al Warshow from Dubai, Reem BinKaram from Sharjah, Asma Al Hamrani from Ajman, Amal Al Ghafli from Umm Al Quwain, Mariam Al Shehi from Ras Al Khaimah and Aisha Al Suraidi from Fujairah.

UAEGG has sought since its inception to enhance and develop the skills of Emirati girls. It has contributed significantly to achieving its goals of developing creative and cognitive skills and cultivating the team spirit among Emirati girls. The guiding association strongly encourages girls to participate in its events and activities as members. This stems from UAEGG's belief that knowledge acquired by girls will help them in their academic and professional career as well as in their life.