UAE Showcases Gender Equality Vision at 10th UN Global Forum on Gender Statistics in Georgia
Tbilisi, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates participated in the 10th UN Global Forum on Gender Statistics, held from October 1–3 in Tbilisi, Georgia, under the theme “Driving Change with Gender Statistics: A Path to Equality.” The three-day event, hosted by the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) and organized by the UN Statistics Division (UNSD), gathered national statistical offices, UN agencies, policymakers, and researchers to advance the use of gender data for policy-making and equality at both national and global levels.
During a session titled “Gender Data and the Digital Transformation,” Eng. Ghalya Ali Al Mannaee, Chairwoman of Strategic Affairs and Development at the General Women’s Union (GWU), highlighted the “Mother of the Nation 50:50 Vision”, launched by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the GWU, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation. The vision reflects the UAE’s ambition to empower women as central partners in national development and to establish Emirati women as global models of influence and inspiration.
Al Mannaee stressed that the initiative aligns with the UAE Centennial 2071 and its long-term vision towards 2075, serving as a call for global partnership, innovation, and action to ensure women remain integral to the nation’s future.
She underscored the UAE’s pioneering role in the Gulf region, being the first to launch a national strategy for women’s empowerment, which provides a comprehensive framework for inclusive national policies. This framework extends beyond Emirati citizens to include all women residing in the country, ensuring equal opportunities to thrive and enhance their quality of life.
Highlighting achievements, Al Mannaee noted that the UAE currently leads 31 global gender balance indicators, ranks first regionally in the 2025 Gender Gap Index, and 13th globally. She attributed these milestones to coordinated institutional efforts, supported by precise monitoring tools such as the Women’s Progress Monitoring System, adopted by the Ministerial Development Council in 2021 with the participation of 155 entities.
“The UAE is currently enhancing this system with artificial intelligence technologies, enabling it to anticipate challenges and take proactive steps. This will ensure that the system remains a dynamic tool linking long-term vision with practical monitoring mechanisms,” she said.
The UAE’s participation in the forum underscores its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment globally and shaping the international agenda on gender equality. It reflects the nation’s role as a model that integrates forward-looking strategies with robust monitoring systems to build a more sustainable and inclusive future for women.
The forum’s discussions centered on the importance of gender data in shaping policy and promoting sustainable development. Key topics included gender equality, women’s empowerment, and their full participation in social and economic life, with emphasis on addressing violence against women and girls, challenging stereotypes, and exploring the gender dimensions of migration, climate change, and the care economy. Participants also examined how gender statistics can drive digital transformation and innovation in governance.
