Princess Lamia Visits UNICEF For International Women’s Day

The royal celebrated the Dhs183 million raised for over 51 million children in need

In honor of International Women’s Day, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) hosted Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies Global for an exclusive lunch event.

The event brought together several female leaders, including Jessica Kahawaty, from across the region to celebrate the work that each woman, together with Alwaleed Philanthropies’ Global and UNICEF, have achieved in the fight to combat measles and rubella globally.

Back in Dubai and what a way to celebrate International Women’s Day. It was an honour to have an intimate lunch today with Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Al Saud speaking about Alwaleed Philanthropies’ projects in partnership with @unicef & @unicef_mena in over 160 countries. She is an incredibly inspiring champion of women’s rights, bridging Islam with the West and children’s education, safety and well-being. She has helped millions and continues to not only advocate but inspire. I can’t wait to visit Saudi Arabia soon #PrincessLamiaBintMajedAlSaud #SaudiArabia

A post shared by Jessica Kahawaty (@jessicakahawaty) on Mar 8, 2018 at 7:03am PST

Thanks to Alwaleed Philanthropies’ contribution of $50 million (Dhs183 million), UNICEF will deliver approximately 57 million doses of measles containing vaccines, directly reaching 51 million children in 14 countries. The parnternship provided vaccinations for over 700,000 children in Laos alone.

From left: UNICEF team Sandra Sorial, HRH Princess Lamia, Deepali Sood and Emily Desborough

“International Women’s Day is indeed a special day for women and a celebration of strength, unity and bravery,” says HRH Princess Lamia during the event. “I am elated with joy surrounded by all of you. Your endeavors and engagement within the global and local community is without a doubt a mainstay for women’s empowerment and a catalyst for a more positive tomorrow.”

One day we will celebrate humanity coming together to combat social injustice in all areas and all corners of the world and an international women’s day will only be a memory.

A post shared by Sandra Sorial (@sandrasorial) on Mar 8, 2018 at 7:53pm PST

She adds, ““Alwaleed Philanthropies and UNICEF’s partnership has been an emotional journey striving to help people improve their lives and futures. It is the difference we can make that guides our work at Alwaleed Philanthropies. I would like to pay particular tribute to the amazing women who are driving forward his partnership. First, the health workers, the majority of whom around the world are women, who go the extra mile to reach the remotest villages to protect communities from measles and rubella. Second the mothers, who ensure that their children get the life-saving vaccines to protect them from these two deadly diseases. Together we will continue to vaccinate millions of children.”

HRH Princess Lamia in the field

UNICEF/Bart Verweij