Princess Lalla Hasna, the sister of HM King Mohammed VI, opened on Wednesday in Skhirat (south of Rabat) the first International Congress of Arab Women Investors (28-30 October).

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Addressing the Congress the princess stressed the importance of education and training for young girls in order to foster women entrepreneurial culture. She insisted on the need to enable girls, especially in rural areas, to go to school and to encourage them to enroll in high-tech vocational training, finance and management all the more so because women make valuable contributions to socio-economic development.

In this regard, Princess Lalla Hasna underlined the importance of the National Initiative for Human Development (NIHD), an ambitious program launched by King Mohammed VI in 2005 to fight poverty. The social and economic policy adopted by Morocco helped to protect the rights of women and children while ensuring human dignity the Princess said.

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On the sidelines of the Congress, Princess Lalla Hasna inaugurated an exhibition of handicraft products of Arab countries,and received a shield from the Union for the efforts made by the princess in the field of environmental protection in her capacity as “Ambassador of the Coast”. She also received on behalf of her brother the King another memorial shield tribute to the action of the Sovereign for the promotion of women’s rights.

Organized by the Union of Arab Women Investors on October 28-30,and held under the patronage of the King Mohammed VI, the congress discusses issues related to investment amid international environment and the new investment opportunities. The Union of Arab Women Investors was Created in December 2004 in Egypt, the Union works in the framework of the Arab Economic Union Council. It includes 16 Arab countries: Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria,Saudi Arabia, Soudan, Syria, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Morocco and Egypt.

Mademoiselle Lilo Moroccan Royals Conference, Lalla Hasna, Women's Rights

courtesy of WAM

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima hosted a banquet in honour of Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium. Among dignitaries present were Her Highness Sheikha Salamah bint Hamdan (wife of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces), Her Highness Sheikha Shama bint Zayed (wife of His Highness Sheikh Surur bin Mohammed Al Nahyan) and Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan (wife of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of Ruler in Western Region).

Before the banquet, Sheikha Fatima and Princess Mathilde exchanged views on a number of issues connected with women’s rights. Sheikha Fatima briefed the Crown Princess about the UAE national women empowerment and the role they play in the development process in the country. Sheikha Fatima, who is the Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, has always been actively involved in women’s rights issues.

courtesy of WAM

Princess Mathilde highly praised the Sheikha’s role in the empowerment of women in the community and her efforts regarding the issues of childcare, environment and social development. The Crown Princess also lauded Sheikha Fatima’s humanitarian contributions both on local and international levels.

Later in the day, Princess Mathilde paid a visit to the Khalifa Fund for Development of Enterprises. The Princess was given a presentation on the Fund’s objectives, programmes and achievements in the promotion of the culture of entrepreneurship among the UAE citizens. The Princess was very impress by the achievements of the Fund since its founding two years ago and praised its important role in promoting development of entrepreneurship among various sectors of the UAE society.

Today was the final day of Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde’s economic mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

To learn more about economic mission, visit this thread.

Marsel Belgian Royals, UAE Royals Economic Mission, Princess Mathilde, Sheikha Fatima, Women's Rights

Click here to see the photo from Agence Maghreb Arabe Press

 Last Friday, King Mohammed VI celebrated the opening of a new female student house and training center in Marrakech. The new facility cost around 4.55 million dirhams. It was financed by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity and the MAMDA-MCMA Construction Foundation, according to an article in the Agence Maghreb Arabe Presse.

Dar Attaliba, the student house, provides courses and accommodation for young women from poor rural areas. It was created in order to combat the dropout rate among this demographic. It can house up to sixty young women, and includes all of the usual amenities of student housing, plus an on-site infirmary, kitchen, and reading room.

The new training center will offer classes in literacy, dress-making and crafts (to help the women earn an income), and training to encourage children’s education. An on-site daycare will also be offered at the training center.

In addition to the new opportunities for women in the fields of education and trade, the Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity recently gave an interview to the Global Post where she highlighted the achievements of the Moroccan government and King in helping to improve the lives of women. Nouzha Skalli discussed the new Family Code. This law helps to provide equal rights and responsibilities for husbands and wives. There is also a criminal code, which makes sexual harassment in the workplace illegal. These laws were created to help combat violence against women, a subject that, until recently, was considered taboo in Morocco.

To read about, and to discuss King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan Royal Family, please visit this thread.

sgl Moroccan Royals Education, Mohammed VI, Women's Rights

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 Princess Lalla Salma attended and spoke at the 4th meeting of the Higher Council of the Arab Women which is being held in Tunis this year. Speaking on Thursday at the meeting, Lalla Salma spoke about women empowerment in Morocco saying that the Kingdom has gone along way in gender equality and enhancing women’s participation in the management of public affairs, in central and local government, in parliament, as well as community organisations. She went on saying that there can be no political or institutional empowerment of women unless their economic, social and cultural rights are promoted, and unless women become part of the development process.

dazzling Moroccan Royals Lalla Salma, Tunisia, Women's Rights

 Under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania a two-day event on women empowerment in Jordan will start today. Business and professional women from across the Kingdom will take part in the conference to discuss the challenges of women empowerment in Jordan. The conference will aslo address several issues including professional and labour legislations, difficulties that face businesswomen and their participation in the decision-making process.

dazzling Jordanian Royals Patronage, Queen Rania, Women's Rights

  Under the patronage and in the presence of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) on Saturday March 21, marked the successful closing of its 2nd annual festival held under the theme ‘Together, We Add Colour to Life’.

The closing ceremony which was held at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce Industry hall included a presentation of awards and certificates to the winners of the contests organised as part of the Festival. Over 100 girls from 20 schools in Dubai participated in various events.

Princess Haya encouraged the participation of women in forums, cultural and social events, and noted that such platforms play an important role in building a civilised society based on the solid foundations of science, knowledge and development. She also urged SMCCU to intensify efforts to help young talented girls to contribute to the social and cultural progress of the UAE. She commended the Festival’s events, particularly the competitions, which had witnessed great enthusiasm and competitive spirit amongst the contestants, reflecting the increasing awareness of cultural understanding among girls in the country.

dazzling Jordanian Royals, UAE Royals Dubai, Patronage, Princess Haya, Women's Rights

 Princess Mathilde talked at a Women’s Congress at the Flemish Parliament, organized by “Steunpunt Allochtone Meisjes en Vrouwen”, an organization which is dedicated to helping immigrant women to emancipate and participate in . In her speech, the princess said it was important to help women everywhere to become independent and emancipated – “Investing in the girls of today, is investing in the women of tomorrow”. The congress was widely attended by women of various backgrounds, who discussed their hopes, plans, ambitions, and problems. The goal of the congress and the organization is to find the problems and advise about solutions to the legislative powers, and the Princess is very pleased to give her support to organizations which promote women’s rights.

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See here for an article about the event in Dutch.
See more pictures at belga.
See here for a video caption of the event in Dutch.
Find more information about Princess Mathilde and her activities here.

LadyLeana Belgian Royals Princess Mathilde, Women's Rights

 Princess Mathilde attended the conference “Women and Sustainable Development” at the University of Leuven, Belgium. The conference was held in honour of International Women’s Day. The Princess is a valiant defender of women’s rights, and was very happy to show her support for this conference. The conference was organized by the “Collectif des Femmes”. (Photo 1, Photo 2)

LadyLeana Belgian Royals Princess Mathilde, Women's Rights

The Saudi princess Amira al-Taweel would like to drive a car in Saudi Arabia, as she told the newspaper ‘Al-Watan’ on monday. The princess is the wife of global tycoon prince Waleed bin Talal, a nephew of the Saudi king Abdullah.

Click the image to see the photos at Het Laatste Nieuws

‘Certainly, I am ready for it, I have an international driver’s license and I drive in every country I travel to’, the princess told the newspaper. In Saudi Arabia it is however forbidden for women to drive and women are not allowed to go out on the street without being accompanied by a man. The princess pbroke another tradition by being pictured without a veil for the interview. In the past her husband, who is one of the richest and most high profiled men of Saudi Arabia, also spoke out for more rights for women and other Saudi princesses showed support for female driving. Among them princess Lolwah Al-Faisal, daughter of the late king Faisal, during the World Economic Forum in Davos of 2007.

Marengo Saudi Royals Princess Amira, Women's Rights