Women are the core of a stable and vibrant society

Social progress will be meaningless without lifting the status of women. The objective is not to view them as a vulnerable section of society who need protection but to give them their rightful due while sitting in judgment on their ability to deliver. The UAE understands this and has acted through legislation and policy to make a difference to Emirati women. A day is set apart for them to acknowledge their role as nation-builders. Such a day also helps spread awareness on what more women can achieve. Indeed their influence has been profound and has touched every walk of life. Policies have been framed to protect and secure their rights, which ensure that they are viewed as more than wives, mothers and sisters — within the family unit — and they are not subject to the writ of elders and male members. It is about accepting the free expression and actions of the individual who is also the core member of the family just as the male is.

It is also about men being comfortable and at ease when this major player becomes a decision-maker and takes independent decisions in what she does as a professional and outside the home in her personal capacity. Simply put, it means staying out of the space set for women to grow into the change-makers they are destined to be. The choices women make are their own and why should they be apologetic about it? More importantly, women do not wish to be judged by different yardsticks simply because of their gender. Countries like the UAE where women enjoy equal rights as men are naturally empowered to lead social change in the Middle East. There is a battle of perceptions and ideas being waged across the world on the status of women and how much is too much or too little for the progress of societies. Such debates are but futile, and why should women have to prove themselves at every turn? The stage is set for women to reach higher, and what the government wants to convey is that a bottom-up approach is not acceptable when it will show the way. One reason why there are nine members in the UAE cabinet. This cannot be called mere improvement in the status of women but a greater empowerment. It also points to a stable, stronger and vibrant society.