Abu Dhabi, Aug 12 (IANS) The United Arab Emirates’ General Women’s Union (GWU) has announced a new initiative to educate women about the legislations addressing and dealing with the issues concerning them, WAM news agency reported Wednesday.
The awareness drive titled “Know Your Rights” is part of the women’s union’s efforts to implement the National Strategy for the Advancement of Women, a joint initiative with the UNDP launched in 2006.

The strategy aims at activating the role of women and ensuring their positive participation in eight key areas: Education, economy, media, social work, health, legislations and environment as well as political and executive fields.

The campaign, which will formally be launched in October, seeks to heighten awareness among women about their rights which guaranteed by the constitution and build their capacities to defend their legal rights.

Under the programme, the first phase will see holding of 12 workshops and four training task forces.

Through the training workshops, women will learn about international conventions and laws regarding women’s rights. They will be given insights on the labour and civil service laws and code of personal status.

The GWU has issued a series of educational booklets as part of the “Know Your Rights” programme about alimony, custody and women’s rights.

Brochures on highlights of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) were also circulated.