Sheikha Jawaher Launches 65 Grants to Empower Moroccan Women
Sheikha Jawaher Launches 65 Grants and Rural Projects to Empower Moroccan Women
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, has announced a major initiative in Morocco to support womenâs education, research, and economic empowerment. The initiative includes 65 university research grants and sustainable income-generating projects benefiting more than 100 women in rural areas affected by the 2023 earthquake.
The announcement was made during Sheikha Jawaherâs official visit to Morocco, where she met with university leaders, local organizations, and women entrepreneurs working to rebuild their communities. The initiative forms part of the Jawaher Fund for the Advancement of Womenâs Education, launched in collaboration with Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech and Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane.
Education as the Foundation for Nation-Building
Sheikha Jawaher emphasized that ânation-building begins with nurturing the human mind and providing the tools of research and knowledge.â She highlighted the importance of education as the key to progress, innovation, and stability, noting that academic partnerships between Arab universities are long-term investments in sustainable development.
She affirmed that both the UAE and Morocco share a deep belief in education as a vital path for building strong, conscious societies. âKnowledge is the strongest bond that unites nations and the bridge that leads to a more prosperous future,â she said.
Advancing Womenâs Education and Research
During her visit to Cadi Ayyad University, Sheikha Jawaher inaugurated the Jawaher Grant for the Academic Advancement of Women in Morocco. She toured the universityâs research laboratories and innovation centers and met with professors and students engaged in womenâs empowerment studies.
Under this initiative, 45 university research grants will support postgraduate students working on projects in science, technology, health, and social sciences. The grants will help women researchers integrate empowerment-focused perspectives into their academic work and community development efforts.
In a parallel partnership with Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, 20 additional research grants will be awarded to faculty members and students. These aim to strengthen womenâs participation in research, innovation, and academic leadership.
The agreements were signed by Mariam Al Hammadi, Director General of NAMA Women Advancement, alongside university presidents, in the presence of Sheikha Jawaher. Together, the two collaborations bring the total to 65 funded research grants under the Jawaher Fund programme.
Rural Empowerment and Livelihood Projects
Beyond academia, Sheikha Jawaher also visited the Mayshad Foundation in Marrakech, meeting with its Founder Nezha Alaoui and several women beneficiaries. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in womenâs economic empowerment and supporting earthquake-affected communities in the Al Haouz region.
Sheikha Jawaher described the working woman as âa force for building and stability,â stressing that empowering women is not only a social obligation but a developmental necessity. âWe want women to not only work but to produce, innovate, and own sustainable sources of income,â she said.
A tripartite agreement was also signed between NAMA Women Advancement, The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), and the Mayshad Foundation to implement two development initiatives in the village of Tansghart.
The first project, funded by NAMA, focuses on training 100 women in livestock farming and small enterprise management to help them generate an annual income ranging from $1,360 to $3,000. The second, supported by TBHF, will establish an eco-friendly rural community center that provides educational, health, and economic services for over 1,000 residents affected by the earthquake.
Celebrating Moroccan Womenâs Achievements
At the conclusion of her visit, Sheikha Jawaher praised Moroccan women for their remarkable achievements in education, innovation, and social contribution. âEvery woman who learns, works, and produces lays a foundation for her nationâs progress,â she said. âThe Moroccan woman is a model of resilience, creativity, and generosity.â
Sheikha Jawaher was accompanied by a delegation including Noura Al Noman, Erum Mazher Alvie, Mariam Al Hammadi, and Alya Al Musaiebi, along with representatives from Sharjahâs humanitarian and development institutions.
This initiative reflects Sheikha Jawaherâs unwavering commitment to advancing womenâs roles in education, economy, and leadership â not only in the UAE but across the Arab world.
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