Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, crown prince of Dubai, presented Queen Rania of Jordan with the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal of Honor for Women at the Global Women's Forum in Dubai. This was the first time the international forum took place in the Middle East and it was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the vice president of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai.
Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was also honored with the medal. This marks the first time the award, which recognizes women with outstanding achievements who have also empowered other women, was presented at an international level.
Queen Rania was also one of the keynote speakers at the event, where she brought attention to the struggles that women face today in the Arab world. She said that "many Arab women have faced so many tragedies that their lives have been turned around into worst case scenarios."
She added that there was no better time to turn this around and no better place than the UAE to inspire innovation in order to resolve this situation. "We have tools that give women a louder voice, and a wider space to participate and advocate," she said.
The event was organized by Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed, president of the UAE Gender Balance Council, president of the Dubai Women Establishment and wife of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE deputy prime minister and minister of presidential affairs.
