PRIVATE, PUBLIC SECTORS HAVE A BIG SAY IN WOMEN’S MARCH
New report with comprehensive overview of gender balance in the UAE released highlighting need to further enhance engagement
Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment and wife of Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, yesterday emphasised the importance of fostering dialogues among the public and private sectors in support of altering normative frameworks to further drive women’s engagement and enhance the country’s global competitiveness level, in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikha Manal’s call came as the UAE Gender Balance Council (UAEGBC) kicked off its participation in Expo 2020 with the launch of its ‘Balance for Better’ report, a complete source of UAE country specific gender balance insights.
Successful journey
The report, which was developed under the guidance and directives of Shaikha Manal outlines the UAE’s successful gender balance journey since the country’s establishment in 1971, with a focus on best practices in three specific fields: economy, society and politics.
The report was launched by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, in the Women’s pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020.
The launch was followed by an insightful panel discussion which was moderated by Faisal Bin Huraiz from Sky News Arabia.
Panellists included Dr. Maitha Bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State; Hessa Bint Issa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development.
The report launch and panel discussion were also attended by Their Highnesses Members of the Federal Supreme Council, Naama Al Mansoori, Aisha Al Mulla, Jameela Al Muhairi, Shamsa Saleh as well as editors in chief of local newspapers, media professionals and influencers.
The report also recognises the important role women will play in bringing to life the ‘towards the next fifty’ strategy.
Shaikha Manal added that Expo 2020 is truly a global gathering and the right platform to launch the UAE GBC’s report, as it sheds light on the UAE’s successful journey and experience in this field and its commitment to achieving the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically the fifth one on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
The report covers a range of topics, starting with the foundations laid by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in supporting women, which were carried forward by Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak with the launch of several initiatives, including the national strategy for the Empowerment of Emirati Women 2015-2021