UAE leads Arab world in gender equality

The UAE has climbed four places to 68th in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Gender Gap Report 2022, ranking first in the Arab World.

Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, expressed her pride in the achievement, congratulating Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU).

She praised the support provided by Sheikha Fatima to women in all sectors, supplemented by legislation, policies and initiatives that reinforces their rights and enhances their participation in economic, political and social life and in international forums.  

Sheikha Manal added that the UAE is one of the world's leading countries in terms of the percentage of women's parliamentary representation, with 50% in the Federal National Council.

The UAE is also amongst global leaders in terms of ministerial representation with 27.5 per cent of the number of ministers, in addition to its high representation in the labour market, specialised jobs and jobs of the future.  

Sheikha Manal said, "The UAE Gender Balance Strategy 2022-2026...aims to achieve UAE leadership and global influence in this field, and to enhance the representation of women in leadership positions and across sectors, through gender mainstreaming and meaningful local and international partnerships, in alignment with the goals and pillars of the next fifty years plan and the vision of our wise leadership."

Speaking to ARN News, Kelly Whitehurst, from a local female-led company, said the UAE has been pro-active in narrowing the gender gap, pushing equal pay, promoting equality at the Federal National Council,  ensuring there's female representation on the boards of listed companies, and introducing anti-discriminatory policies in the workplace.