Eight women have been appointed as part of the Federal National Council. Reports suggest 20 members were elected last month, while 20 more were named yesterday. The next term begins tomorrow and will be opened by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The session will be chaired by the eldest member of the council until a speaker is elected. The FNC is one of the UAE’s five federal authorities, as established by the Constitution. Its official mandate is to provide for public debate of legislation.