Equal representation for women

DUBAI: United Arab Emirates federation president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has decided that women should make up half of its semi-elected advisory body when it is renewed next year. This will increase the number of women on the UAE council from nine to 20 next year. The 40-member Federal National Council is currently chaired by a woman, Amal Al-Qubaisi. Half of its members are elected for a four-year term, while the others are appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates making up the federation. The last vote for the elected part was held in 2015.