UAE representative to UN gives speech during 35th session of Human Rights Council.

​Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations, UN, in Geneva, made a speech during the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council, UNHCR, which is currently being held in Geneva under the framework of its annual one-day discussion on women’s rights.

At the beginning of his speech, he welcomed the experts who were participating in the annual discussion, as its agenda this year will include women’s rights and sustainable development goals. He also emphasised that its third goal is related to women’s health, and its fifth goal is related to gender equality.

Al Zaabi stressed that reaching the highest standards of health is a basic right for everyone. However, when it comes to women, this right face certain obstacles such as gender discrimination and the lack of women’s education. He added that the lack of women’s rights in the health sector could make them more vulnerable to sickness and less likely to obtain basic healthcare for economic reasons related to the affordability of treatment or social reasons related to the position of women in many societies as housewives.

He expressed his hope that the "Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health (2016-2030)", launched by the UN Secretary-General in September 2015, can eliminate the obstacles facing the rights of women to healthcare, while promoting women’s empowerment to safeguard the contribution of women in establishing prosperous communities.

Concerning the implementation of women’s healthcare rights, he stressed that the UAE has implemented a range of various health services around the country, supported by a free health insurance system, which led to a reduction in disease and death rates, and an increase in health awareness among women and mothers. He added that the Ministry of Health and Community Prevention has placed a strategy to enhance women’s health and their protection, with the aim of protecting women’s health, enhancing the health of girls, supporting children-friendly hospital initiatives, raising awareness about health issues, preventing genetic diseases and encouraging female nationals to participate in several health-related sectors, in compliance with the UN 2030 Agenda.

Ambassador Al Zaabi highlighted the experience of the Cabinet of Ministers in establishing the Emirates Gender Balance Council in early 2015, which aims to reduce the gap between men and women in the workplace and in decision-making positions, as well as promoting the role of women as the main partner in shaping the nation’s future.