Inclusive education created opportunities, Manal says

Gender Balance Council chief says women have proven their worth in the workplace

Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairwoman of the Gender Balance Council, president of Dubai Women Establishment and wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, yesterday expressed her pride in the achievements of Emirati women in all sectors.

In a statement on the eve of Emirati Women’s Day, Shaikha Manal said that since the 70s, the UAE leadership provided inclusive education.

She pointed out that the UAE currently has the highest literacy rate among women at 95.8 per cent, and that 70 per cent of university students are female, while 56 per cent of IT, engineering and mathematics graduates from public universities are women.

Shaikha Manal said that Emirati women have proven their worth in the workplace, representing 46.6 per cent of workers in the job market. She noted that of 66 per cent of Emirati women cadres working in governmental bodies, 30 per cent have leadership positions while 15 per cent work in specialised roles.

Shaikha Manal noted that women also operate in the police and military, representing 30 of the workforce. She also pointed out that nine of the UAE’s ministers are women, and that 20 per cent of the Federal National Council’s members are women.

She said that Emirati women are proving their worth in the sectors of energy, space, aviation and judiciary.