UAE pAckAgE to boost womEn’s dEvElopmEnt

dubai — A mandatory provision of healthcare to women before, during and after giving birth is among a new package of national legislative policies and initiatives adopted by the UAE Cabinet on Tuesday to empower Emirati women.

The Cabinet approved the empowerment package during a special session held at the General Women’s Union headquarters in Abu Dhabi chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

It is based on three axes: Legislation and policy; services; and international representation, and includes resources to support the advancement of Emirati women as active partners in local, regional and global arenas.

“Today, we have adopted a wellrounded package of new policies and legislation favouring Emirati women’s empowerment and leadership,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “Women constitute over half of society; they build the foundations of our renaissance whether in education, medicine or engineering. We must, therefore, enhance their dynamic role in both the UAE and global communities, across multiple sectors.

“We are now embarking on a new phase in which we provide more tools to enhance women’s leadership roles and representation in society across all fields on the local, regional and global scale. The new initiatives will see women’s increased participation in diplomatic missions, as well as an increased representation in judicial and legal affairs.”

The legislative and policies axis will seek to include more female participation in the UAE’s judicial system across federal courts. It will set legislative frameworks concerning domestic violence. It will also study a string of incentives to increase the participation of women in the business sector. These include the enhancement of the national policy on entrepreneurship for Emirati women, which offers them special facilities to get permission to practise businesses. The visa sponsorship law will also be reviewed to enable women to issue permits and visas to labourers.

The services axe will cover senior Emirati women and those of determination to help them get easy access to healthcare services. It will also see the provision of an electronic platform for women that will supply them with essential information on how to take care of themselves and their babies during the various stages after delivery.

As for international representation, new policies will ensure the increased participation of female diplomatic missions and representatives of international organisations, including UN peace-keeping missions.

The Cabinet assigned the UAE Gender Balance Council to coordinate with the government bodies concerned to advance the participation of Emirati women in the labour market. The Cabinet also agreed to set up a media hub that monitors and reports on the success of UAE women.

During the Cabinet session, Sheikh Mohammed praised Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation. “Sheikha Fatima bin Mubarak is an inspiring and exemplary model for all women in the UAE. Her Highness has always invested in enhancing the role of women and ensure their active participation in building the nation.