UAE Participates in BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Women’s Affairs

St. Petersburg, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates (UAE), represented by its Gender Balance Council, took part in the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Women’s Affairs held in St. Petersburg, Russia. Themed “Women, Governance, and Leadership,” the meeting provided a platform for BRICS nations to exchange experiences and best practices on women’s empowerment, focusing on opportunities for cooperation to drive inclusive economic and social progress.

The UAE delegation, led by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, showcased the nation’s achievements in advancing women’s leadership and integrating gender balance into sustainable development strategies.

H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, reiterated the UAE’s commitment to gender equality, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5. She underscored the nation’s dedication to fostering gender balance, inspired by the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Sheikha Manal emphasized that national progress depends on equal participation of both women and men, a principle embedded in UAE policies since its inception.

In her remarks, Mona Al Marri commended the Russian Federation for hosting the event and South Africa for initiating the platform on women’s affairs. She highlighted the UAE’s advancements in women’s leadership, including nine female ministers, 50% female representation in the Federal National Council, and significant progress in education and private sector leadership.

Al Marri also stressed the importance of international collaboration within BRICS to accelerate gender equality and shared the UAE’s legal reforms that support women in leadership. The UAE Gender Balance Council, she said, is a key driver in this progress, promoting policies that enhance women’s participation across all sectors.

Mouza Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, emphasized the role of international cooperation in promoting gender balance, calling for continued global efforts to ensure widespread gender equality and empowerment.