UAE ranks first in world gender equality index
On August 28, the United Arab Emirates celebrates Women’s Day, the same day that the General Women’s Union was founded. This celebration comes out of the belief of the wise leadership of the State on the importance of the contributions of the daughters of the nation, their role in the development efforts and the well-being of the country, and in appreciation and honor of what was provided to support the State’s march inside and outside the country. All government agencies and private sector institutions are celebrating this day.
The state became the 18th largest in the world and the first in the Arab world in the United Nations Program for 2020 Gender Equality Index, rising 8 places in the index in just one year. In 2019, it ranked 26th, reaching the national target, by reaching the top 25 countries in the world in this indicator, by 2021.
According to the 2020 World Economic Forum Report on Closing the Gender Gap, the UAE ranked the following globally: 10th place in the sub-standard on equal remuneration for similar work, 1st place in the sub-standard on literacy, 1st place in the sub-standard on enrollment in basic education, 1st place in the sub-standard on the sex ratio at birth.
In May 2015, the Cabinet adopted a decision to form the UAE Council for Gender Balance in all fields of employment and to contribute to the UAE’s domestic and international standing. The Council’s goal is to reduce the gender gap and balance them in decision-making positions, in order to achieve the UAE’s vision of being among the top 25 countries in the Gender Balance Index by 2021. The Council provides innovative initiatives and projects that contribute to the achievement of a balance between men and women and that make the United Arab Emirates a model for this aspect.
The National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women 2015-2021 provides for a supportive legislative and institutional framework for women, in line with best practices in the area of women’s empowerment, in line with the State’s obligations under international conventions and treaties, and the adoption of sound policies to promote gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.
In the United Arab Emirates, women enjoy equal rights with respect to economic resources and access to land and other property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national law, with the women of the United Arab Emirates having different roles in the private sector, including as females managers and female entrepreneurs..
The female entrepreneur sector accounts for 10% of the UAE’s total private sector. Women entrepreneurs manage projects worth more than 40 billion Dirhams, representing 15% of the board members of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the country.
