ABU DHABI:Princess Benedikte of Denmark, who is the sister of the Queen of Denmark, patron of the Olave Baden Powell Society (OB-PS) and patron of the Global Girls Fund, decorated on Tuesday Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU) and of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and Honorary President of the Girl Guides Association of the United Arab Emirates, with the Royal Medal of Merit in recognition of her distinguished contributions to and support for the scouting movement in the world.Shaikha Fatima was the third personality to be awarded this honour after Egyptian First Lady Suzanne Mubarak and Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden. The latest honour recognises Shaikh Fatima’s vital role in empowering women in the UAE. She assumed honorary presidency of the Girl Guides Association of the United Arab Emirates in 1975 and became the chief commissioner in 1988.
Shaikha Fatima was also awarded the Lady Baden-Powell’s badge in 1989 for her contribution to establishing the venue of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and the Silver Fish Medal, the highest scouting decoration in Egypt, for her support for the scouting movement in the UAE and the Arab world.The award-giving presentation, which took place on the GWU’s premises, was graced by Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairwoman of the Girl Guides Association of the United Arab Emirates; a number of shaikhas; Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs; Dr Maitha Al Shamsi, Minister of State; Noura Al Suweidi, Director-General of GWU; and a group of leaders of women’s movements. Princess Benedikte also presented badges to a number of new members of the Olave Baden-Powell Society.In her welcome address, the Danish Princess thanked Shaikha Fatima, other shaikhas and women administrators for providing incentives and leadership to the Girl Guides movement here – Kahleejtimes
