Leading the way in women’s empowerment
ENCOURAGED BY A VISIONARY UAE LEADERSHIP, EMIRATI WOMEN HELPED BUILD A STRONGER UAE ACROSS A SPECTRUM OF DOMAINS
Across society’s spectrum, from the political arena to the diplomatic corps, from the judiciary to the commercial sector, Emirati women have helped build a stronger nation as the UAE’s leaders encouraged them to take greater strides. The year has seen a series of milestones in women’s empowerment.
In February, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the formation of the UAE Gender Balance Council, which was designed to make women essential partners in building the country’s future and the main building block of society.
In March, Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Council and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, launched the Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2015-21, which provided a framework for federal and government institutions and organisations in developing programmes to empower women.
In representing the nation, women make up 17.5 per cent of the Federal National Council (FNC), with five holding ministerial positions, including Najla Mohammad Al Awar, who has been holding the position of secretary-general of the Cabinet since 2006.
Three of the UAE’s ambassadors, one consul-general and the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York are women: Dr Hessa Abdullah Al Otaiba (ambassador to Spain), Shaikha Najla Al Qasimi (ambassador to Portugal), Hafsa Al Ulama (ambassador to Montenegro), Noura Mohammad Juma (Consul General in Milan) and Lana Nusseibeh, UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
Eight women were among 20 members appointed to the FNC this year. Naema Abdullah Saeed Al Sharhan, from Ras Al Khaimah, made history by becoming the third woman to be elected to the council, with 1,004 votes.
FNC speaker
Women empowerment reached new heights with the election of Dr Amal Al Qubaisi as the first woman Speaker of the Federal National Council in November, a position which ranks her among the most powerful women in the country and in the Arab world.
In the last few years, four women have been appointed as judges, two as public prosecutors and 17 as assistant public prosecutors and marriage officials. Four women were appointed as judges, two as public prosecutors and 17 as assistant public prosecutors and marriage officials.
Women serving in the Armed Forces, Customs and Police — areas that are usually dominated by men — have also come under the spotlight, particularly after the heroic efforts of Major Mariam Al Mansouri, who became the UAE’s first woman pilot to lead a strike mission in Syria against Daesh in October 2014.
Significant government entities, such as twofour54 media free zone, Tecom Business Park and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, are headed by women.
Women currently constitute 66 per cent of the public sector workforce in the UAE — the average global rate is 48 per cent — with 30 per cent in senior and decisionmaking positions, which is close to the level in advanced countries.