While women in Saudi are being banned from Starbucks, the UAE is celebrating women in politics, naming Her Excellency Ohood Al Roumi as the much talked about Minister of State for Happiness.
When His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced that the restructure in the government would include a Minister of Happiness it got the whole globe talking. The fact that he has revealed the the Minister of State for Happiness will be a woman – Ohood Al Roumi – has further sent news wires into a frenzy as it once again proves Sheikh Mohammed is instrumental in smashing the glass ceiling in the Middle East.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has supported women in the region
According to the Sheikh, as the Minister of Happiness (seriously has to be the best job title ever), Roumi will “channel policies and plans to achieve a happier society” as well as “align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction.”
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Recently the Director-General of the Prime Minister Office, and the first Arab member of the Global Entrepreneurship Council (GEC), Roumi is more than experienced for the new role. She also has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor’s in Economics.
Ohood Al Roumi Is Named Minister Of Happiness
The new cabinet members were only just revealed on Twitter by the very modern and tech-savvy Sheikh. Five of the new roles went to women: HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi has been appointed as Minister of State for Tolerance; Najla Mohammed Al Awar is the Minister of Community Development; Jamila Salim Al Muhairi has been appointed as Minister of State for Education; Noura AlKaabi is the new Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, and Shamma Al Mazrui is to chair the Youth National Council.
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In an article titled Ten Years of Empowerment Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of UAE Gender Balance, and President of Dubai Women Establishment, lauded Sheikh Mohammed for his support to Emirati women and after this grand announcement we couldn’t agree more. We look forward to see what the world of politics will be like with more women making decisions.
Images: Getty and Dubai Media Office
