Local Press: UAE shows best way on women’s empowerment

ABU DHABI, 28th August, 2018 (WAM) — As the nation marks the 4th Emirati Women’s Day on Tuesday, it is a delight to note that women remain a key pillar of social development and have been marching ahead with total confidence in all sectors.

An editorial in a local English language daily said that gender disparity has certainly become a thing of the past in the UAE and a cursory glance at statistics is all that is needed to underscore this point.

The editorial, in today’s edition of The Gulf Today, went on to say, “Women today represent over 66 percent of the UAE’s workforce and have a strong presence, exceeding the presence of men, in education, health and banking, “The UAE leads the Arab region in the United Nations, UN, list of the most gender-balanced countries, according to an annual index issued by the United Nations Development Programme.




“It occupies leading international positions in gender equality indexes, especially in terms of the rate of female literacy and their participation in secondary and higher education, as per the World Economic Forum Report 2016.

“The same report states that 77 percent of Emirati women advance to higher education after graduating from secondary schools, and they represent over 70 percent of the students of federal higher education institutions.

“Programmes such as the “National Strategy for Women’s Development in the UAE 2002” and the “Women’s Empowerment Strategy in the UAE 2015-2021” have helped Emirati women scale new heights.

“Another turning point came last year, when the UAE Gender Balance Council launched its “Gender Balance Guide,” which was the first guide of its kind in the world and aimed to create a working balance between the genders. The guide was the main reference for the country’s institutions, in both the public and private sectors, and aimed to reduce the gender gap.

“The empowerment of Emirati women in the parliamentary field is yet another notable achievement.

“The FNC’s 14th legislative chapter in 2006 was the first to see the participation of Emirati women, who won nine out of the 40 available seats. Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi is the first Emirati woman to become Speaker of the Federal National Council, as well as the first to attain such a leading position in the Arab region and the Middle East.

“The relentless support extended by the wise leadership has helped Emirati women soar such great heights. Laws and legislation effectively ensure equal opportunities for women.

“The Emirati women’s Day is an ideal opportunity to highlight and consolidate the achievements of Emirati women, who undoubtedly deserve all praise and respect for proving their capability to excel,” concluded the Sharjah-based daily.