Women Empowerment in the UAE: Progress and Initiatives

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made great progress in recent years in promoting women’s empowerment. The UAE Constitution guarantees equal rights for both men and women, and the government has implemented several initiatives to support women’s participation in all areas of society.

Let’s look into the historical context, progress, initiatives, and challenges related to women’s empowerment in UAE.

Women Empowerment in UAE

Women represent two-thirds of public sector jobs in the UAE, including 30% of senior leadership roles. Women also hold 75% of positions in the education and health sectors. Traditionally, the UAE had a patriarchal culture with strongly defined gender roles. However, in recent decades, the country has experienced immense social and economic changes.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Global Gender Gap report, the UAE has achieved the highest level of gender equality among Arab countries, showing a strong national commitment to empowering women in both the public and private sectors.

Historical Context

The duties of women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have changed with the discovery of oil in the country. Before 1960, women’s roles were limited to home and familial responsibilities. However, since its establishment in 1971, the UAE has promoted the empowerment of both men and women. The UAE Constitution provides all people equal rights, including legal status, access to education and employment, and healthcare.

Since 1971, the status of women in the UAE has improved in line with the country’s progress. For example, the percentage of Emirati women working for the government rose from 11.6% in 1995 to 66% in 2007. Dr. Hissa Al Otaiba and Najla Al Qasimi became the UAE’s first female ambassadors in 2008, representing Spain and Sweden, respectively.

Women in the UAE have also achieved other successes:

• Women made up 34% of the Emirates Mars Mission team, and they helped launch the UAE’s Hope Probe.
• Female labor participation in the GCC states rose from 1% in 1975 to 17% in 2009.

Progress in Women Empowerment in UAE

The below points describe the progress in women empowerment in UAE:

Education

• Female literacy rates have risen greatly over the years, with a notable increase in enrollment and completion rates at all educational levels, including higher education.
• The UAE has made huge investments in girls’ education, resulting in improved access to quality schooling and higher levels of female participation in STEM fields.

Employment

• Female labor force participation is continually rising, pushed by government measures promoting women’s economic empowerment and gender-inclusive workplace rules.
• The private and public sectors have implemented measures to support women in leadership positions and enhance their career advancement opportunities.

Political Participation

• The UAE has made progress in encouraging women’s political engagement, increasing their representation in decision-making bodies and legislative seats.
• Legal reforms and government initiatives have facilitated greater involvement of women in political processes, leading to a more inclusive political landscape.

Prominent Women in UAE

The following are some of the prominent women personalities in UAE:

H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi

The first woman to hold a ministerial position in the UAE government, serving as Minister of State for Tolerance and previously as Minister of State for International Cooperation and Development. She has played an important role in advancing the UAE’s global partnerships and promoting tolerance and inclusivity.

Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr

A leading figure in the field of smart cities and digital transformation, serving as Director General of the Smart Dubai Office. Dr. Bin Bishr has led innovative projects to improve the quality of life for inhabitants and visitors by implementing technology-based solutions.

Noura Al Kaabi

An influential figure in the cultural and creative industries, serving as Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development. Al Kaabi has played an important role in promoting cultural interaction and maintaining the UAE’s rich past, all while encouraging creativity and innovation.

Initiatives by UAE Government

The UAE government has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting women’s rights and empowerment across various sectors.

UAE Gender Balance Council

• Established in 2015, the council aims to promote gender balance and empower women in all sectors of society. It implements policies and initiatives to enhance women’s participation in the workforce, leadership roles, and decision-making processes.
• Impact: The council’s efforts have led to notable improvements in gender equality indicators, including increased representation of women in leadership positions and reduced gender pay gaps.

Dubai Women Establishment (DWE)

• DWE is dedicated to empowering women economically, socially, and professionally in Dubai. It provides support services, training programs, and networking opportunities to enhance women’s skills and facilitate their career advancement.
• Impact: DWE’s initiatives have contributed to the growth of female entrepreneurship, increased workforce participation, and improved gender diversity in the business sector.

Abu Dhabi Women’s Council (ADWC)

• ADWC works to enhance the role of women in Abu Dhabi’s development and promote their participation in various fields. It offers programs focused on education, health, leadership development, and community engagement.
• Impact: ADWC’s initiatives have resulted in higher levels of female educational attainment, improved healthcare access for women and families, and increased representation of women in leadership positions.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Women’s Sports Academy

• Established to promote women’s participation in sports and physical activities across the UAE. The academy offers training programs, competitions, and support services to female athletes at all levels.
• Impact: The academy has contributed to the growth of women’s sports in the UAE, promoting talent development, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and challenging gender stereotypes in athletics.

Other Initiatives

Some other initiatives by the UAE government are:

• Emirati Women’s Day: Celebrated on August 28th, this day is dedicated to women’s empowerment and gender equality.
• Anti-discrimination Law: The UAE has prohibited discrimination based on gender and sex in its anti-discrimination law.
• Labor laws: Since 2019, the UAE has taken steps to reduce gender inequalities in its legal system, including amending criminal, personal status, and labor laws.
• Female Judges: In 2008, the UAE became the first country to appoint a female judge. In 2019, two women were appointed to the Federal Judiciary for the first time, and in 2021, Dubai became the first city to appoint a female common law judge.

Challenges Related to Women’s Empowerment in UAE

The following are some of the challenges and obstacles related to women empowerment in UAE:

• Deep-rooted cultural beliefs and traditional gender roles often limit women’s opportunities for education, employment, and leadership.
• Despite advancements in education, disparities still exist in access to quality education for women, particularly in rural and remote areas.
• Limited access to vocational training and skill development programs prevents women from entering non-traditional fields and accessing higher-paying jobs.
• Women continue to face discrimination and bias in the workplace, including unequal pay, limited career advancement opportunities, and gender-based harassment.
• Despite legal reforms, some laws and regulations still contain provisions that discriminate against women or fail to adequately protect their rights.
• Limited enforcement of existing laws and lack of access to legal course further increase challenges for women facing discrimination or gender-based violence.
• Balancing family responsibilities with career aspirations remains a major challenge for many women, particularly mothers.

Addressing these issues requires systemic changes and increased awareness to promote women’s empowerment in the UAE.

Conclusion

The United Arab Emirates has made major changes in women’s empowerment in recent years. The UAE Constitution guarantees equal rights for women and men, and the government has implemented several initiatives to promote gender equality in all areas of life. As a result, women in the UAE have made significant progress in education, employment, and political participation. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed.

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FAQs on Women Empowerment in UAE

What is women empowerment in the UAE?

Women empowerment in the UAE refers to initiatives aimed at enhancing gender equality, economic participation, and social inclusion for women.

What progress has been made in women’s education?

Great advancements have been made, with increased enrollment and completion rates at all educational levels for women in the UAE.

Are women well-represented in the UAE workforce?

There has been notable progress, with increasing participation of women in various sectors of the workforce, supported by government initiatives.

What challenges do women face in the UAE workplace?

Women still face obstacles such as gender bias, unequal pay, and limited career advancement opportunities in some sectors.

How does the UAE government promote women’s rights?

The UAE government implements policies and programs to enhance women’s rights, including legal reforms, gender-inclusive policies, and initiatives to empower women economically.

What role do women play in politics in the UAE?

Women are increasingly participating in politics, with growing representation in decision-making bodies and parliamentary roles.

How does the UAE address gender-based violence?

The UAE has enacted laws and established support services to address gender-based violence and protect women’s rights.

What opportunities are available for women entrepreneurs in the UAE?

The UAE offers various support programs and initiatives to encourage women entrepreneurship, including access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

How does the UAE promote women’s participation in STEM fields?

The UAE government promotes STEM education for girls and women through initiatives aimed at encouraging interest and participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

What cultural factors influence women’s empowerment in the UAE?

Cultural norms and traditions play a major role, influencing attitudes towards women’s roles and capabilities.