UAE to Celebrate International Women’s Day
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates will celebrate International Women’s Day tomorrow, March 8, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the empowerment of Emirati women. As the nation accelerates its journey toward gender equality, it continues to achieve remarkable milestones that contribute to sustainable development.
Women’s issues remain a top priority in the UAE’s leadership vision, with Emirati women playing a fundamental role in the nation’s key achievements across various fields. The UAE has advanced to the seventh position globally and retained its top regional rank in the 2024 Gender Inequality Index (GII) issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), showcasing its leadership in gender balance.
A significant step in advancing women’s representation in governance was the appointment of Sana bint Mohammed Suhail as Minister of Family, following the establishment of the Ministry of Family. Additionally, the UAE introduced the National Policy for the Promotion of Women’s Health, ensuring comprehensive preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative healthcare services for women throughout their lives.
Economic Empowerment and Leadership Roles
Recognizing women’s crucial role in economic sustainability, the Ministry of Economy mandated that at least one seat on the boards of private joint-stock companies be allocated to women after the completion of current board terms. Furthering economic empowerment, the Ministry of Economy and the General Women’s Union signed a cooperation agreement to unify efforts in women’s economic inclusion. The General Women’s Union also launched the second cohort of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme, supporting young women, aspiring entrepreneurs, and business owners in developing their projects.
Historical Advancements and Gender Balance
Since its founding, the UAE has witnessed significant transformations in women’s representation and rights, including increased participation in the Cabinet, holding half the seats in the Federal National Council, achieving equal pay, and strengthening roles in business, sciences, and key strategic sectors such as space and clean energy. Emirati women can voluntarily join national service, and the nation has seen groundbreaking appointments, including its first female judge and first two female prosecutors in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
Global Advocacy for Women’s Rights
The UAE’s leadership in women’s rights extends globally, exemplified by its co-authorship of the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on equal access to education for all girls in 2023. Additionally, the UAE has served two terms on the Executive Board of UN Women (2013-2019, 2023-2025) and presided over the board in 2017. With over $46 million in voluntary contributions, the UAE is one of UN Women’s largest global donors and the leading contributor in the region.
Women in Peace and Security
During its 2022-2023 tenure on the UN Security Council, the UAE prioritized women’s participation in conflict prevention, resolution, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding. In 2019, the UAE, in partnership with UN Women, launched the H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for Women, Peace, and Security. This initiative has trained hundreds of female cadets from the Arab region, Africa, and Asia, fostering women’s participation in security sectors.
Commitment to International Conventions
The UAE has ratified multiple international conventions promoting women’s rights and protection, including:
- The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2004.
- The Hours of Work (Industry) Convention in 1982.
- The Forced Labour Convention in 1982.
- The Labour Inspection Convention in 1982.
These efforts solidify the UAE’s dedication to fostering a gender-balanced society, ensuring that its achievements uplift Emirati women while serving as an inspiration for global progress in women’s empowerment.
