NAMA Women Advancement Convenes Flagship Programme with UN Women

Under the directives and support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA Women Advancements Establishment, NAMA - a Sharjah-based organisation dedicated to advancing the status of women across the world - has had its role in promoting female entrepreneurship during UN Women assembly, “Launch of the Interim Report of the High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment” at the UN Headquarters in New York City, with the presence of Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Phumzile Mlambo - Ngkoka, Executive Director of the United Nations for Women, and a number of officials and decision-makers from various countries around the world.

During the UN Women assembly, NAMA co-convened ‘Equal Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs,’ the international series of discussions and deliberations aimed at ensuring a level playing field for men and women in business.

Equal Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs formed a key plank of the UN Women’s Flagship Programming Initiatives, a global policy programme designed to help decision-makers secure the interests of women entrepreneurs worldwide by emphasising the need for transformative action and revitalised global partnerships.

Moreover, NAMA will act as the co-conveners of the UN women Flagship Programmes (FPIs), by conduction a series of round table discussions and deliberations, where they will fit the UN SDGs’ goals. This step aims at positioning NAMA and the whole of UAE amongst the international decision makers of how the global policy programme should be developed, and help them secure the interests of women entrepreneurs.

“Since its inception and under the patronage and strong leadership of HH Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohamed Al Qasimi, NAMA has gone beyond female emancipation to adopt a broader remit of full women empowerment and economic advancement. Its goal now is to ensure that women are equipped with the necessary skills for them to become influential members of society and to climb the ladder of success in all sectors,” said HE Ameera BinKaram, Vice Chairperson of NAMA.

HE BinKaram highlighted that NAMA will bring the right partners to the table, as well as will support the implementation of the ‘Equal Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs’, which is one of the Flagship Programming Initiatives (FPIs) under UN Women’s second strategic plan titled Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE).”

The Executive Director of UN Women proudly thanked NAMA for joining in this partnership and generously supporting the flagship programming initiative: “Stimulating equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs through affirmative procurement, investment and supply chain policies,” which aims to have a transformative impact on women’s economic empowerment in order to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship is an investment that enables women to realize their rights to equality of opportunity, escape the cycle of poverty, spur global economic growth and create jobs.   The Sharjah government is demonstrating leadership by investing in women’s economic empowerment and for that UN Women would like to recognize NAMA under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher for her leadership, vision and commitment.

NAMA and its affiliate body Sharjah Business Women Council, of which HE BinKaram is also Chairperson, are spearheading efforts to ensure that women become equal stakeholders in global development and peace. Through NAMA comprehensive programme of initiatives and activities, the organisations focus on women’s income security, economic empowerment, capacity building, education and vocational training.