RU  UK  EN
Статьи  >  Know  >  The UAE at the forefront of Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment in the region

The UAE at the forefront of Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment in the region

28.08.2018 | diplomacy, UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has adopted a powerful stance in empowering women, setting new standards based on a unique model drawn from the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE. This approach perpetuates in the current leadership’s vision for the future, whereby women stand as active partners and contributors in the country’s development process and play a vital role in raising future generations.

Empowering women nationwide

The UAE Constitution guarantees equal rights for women and men. The country is leading the way in a number of regional and global indexes on gender equality and women's achievements, education and literacy, women's employment, and respect for women among several social and economic indicators and other indicators.

The country’s constitution supports the participation of Emirati women in decision-making, a core component of economic empowerment. In December 2014, the UAE Cabinet adopted a decision imposing the appointment of women on the boards of directors of all institutions and government agencies, setting the proportion of female representation at 15% in government institutions. Nine women sit on the Federal National Council for the 16th legislature, representing 22.5% of 40 members. Furthermore, women make up 27% of the new Cabinet formed in 2016 which includes nine women ministers, one of whom is the youngest minister appointed to Cabinet (23 years).

The UAE Gender Balance Council was established in 2015 as a federal agency dedicated to scaling up the UAE's efforts to achieve gender balance across all sectors nationwide, and in decision-making positions. Women are actively involved in the judiciary sector with several women judges and prosecutors, as well as a significant female presence in the police and the military. In the diplomatic field, women currently hold 30% of positions in the diplomatic corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which comprised 234 women employees in 2017, including women ambassadors and diplomats representing the UAE abroad.

Moreover, the UAE has made remarkable progress in reducing gender disparities in girls' education in schools and higher education, with more than 70 percent of girls graduating from universities. In the economic field and in the business world, women have set themselves as partners, making up 46.6% of the total workforce, holding 66% of the jobs of the public sector, 30% of which are decision-making positions. Furthermore, 23,000 businesswomen manage projects worth about USD15 billion in the UAE.

Empowering Women Worldwide

The Government of the United Arab Emirates has made the theme "Empowerment of Women and Girls" as one of three thematic areas of action underpinning the country's international aid policy for 2017-2021. It is also one of the focal points of strategy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

More than 14 per cent of total international aid contributed by the United Arab Emirates in 2016 was devoted to empowering women and girls around the world. After deducting bilateral support to government budgets, which accounts for more than half of the value of foreign aid contributed by the UAE in 2016, the proportion of aid allotted to the promotion gender equality and women's empowerment accounts for nearly one-third of total aid.

Among the international aid projects that contribute to this essential cause are: women's vocational training and support for women entrepreneurs in low- and middle-income countries and support for more than 100 projects in the health sector for women and children. In Afghanistan, the UAE supported the saffron industry where women hold 80 percent of the production business. In Sri Lanka, the UAE also provided financial support to an institute dedicated to women’s empowerment.

Infrastructure - one of the main objectives of the UAE's international assistance - is one of the key drivers of change in women's empowerment. Improving infrastructure contributes to increased mobility and market access, and reduces the amount of time spent on unpaid housework, leaving more time for productivity and contribution to the economy.

The UAE is fully committed to empowering women and girls in entrepreneurship and has thus donated USD50 million to the World Bank's Women Entrepreneurs Financing Initiative (WeFi). This initiative will help mobilize more than USD1 billion in funding for women entrepreneurs. The UAE is also committed to making the necessary tools available to women and to supporting them through opportunities. The "1000 Leaders" initiative is one example reflecting such action, whereby the state will provide training and opportunities for present and future generations of women, to empower them and enable them to hone their skills and abilities to become leaders in the sectors of activity of their choice, in an effort to reverse social prejudices about the division of gender roles and capacities, and relegate them to the past.

Women’s Empowerment in national mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights

The UAE has developed a comprehensive system of national policies and strategies to promote and guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2015, the United Arab Emirates established the UAE Gender Balance Council, which aims to reduce gender disparity and work towards achieving gender balance in the public and private sectors, particularly in decision-making.

On the other hand, the UAE adopted several national policies and strategies aimed at empowering women in the UAE and strengthening their status in all sectors, by launching a National Strategy for Women's Empowerment and Entrepreneurship 2015- 2021, which aims to empower and build the capacity of Emirati women to overcome the difficulties encountered in their participation in all areas. It also aims at increasing the participation of Emirati women in development and improving their status at the regional and international levels.

As part of its commitment to human rights conventions to which it is a party and to submit Universal Period Review report, the UAE exerts all efforts to follow-up on the implementation of recommendations and has submitted its second UPR report on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) before the competent committee in November 2015.

As part of the voluntary pledges for the appointment of the United Arab Emirates for the members of the Human Rights Council for the period 2016-2018, the United Arab Emirates provided support to UN Women, towards the opening of UN Women’s Communications office in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE and UN Women signed the convention on the establishment of the special communication office with member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council in July 2016 in Abu Dhabi, and the office was officially inaugurated in October 2016. The Women's General Union provided the necessary facilities and funding for the opening of the office.

In 2009, the UAE acceded to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol). The United Arab Emirates are also founding members of the United Friends in the fight against human trafficking, created in September 2010, on the sidelines of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Conclusion:

Women continue to be the backbone of the UAE, but also around the world. The UAE believes that progress in the area of women's rights is essential to building a contemporary society based on tolerance and inclusion. With their benefits, achievements and experience, the UAE will continue to work to ensure that women in the rest of the world enjoy the same appreciation and participation that Emirati women enjoy in their country.

Information is published upon the request of the UAE Embassy in Ukraine

Вам это будет интересно:
Eastern hights
Stereotypes are terrible. They form a definite picture of the world in our heads, and it is not so easy to change. Take, for instance, the concept of skyscraper: imagination of 90% people immediately provoke skyline of American cities, familiar from movies and TV. It is quite logical, but nowadays panorama of the best luxury skyscrapers is in other direction – keep moving to the East. For Arab structures may outdo Western ones in all respects.
The Snow Queen would envy. The best ice hotels in the world
Icerink instead of heated floor. Bomber hat and a puffer jacket as an alternative to terry robe. Eco-hotels and cafes in Canada, Romania and even hot Dubai offer a possibility to have leisure time a-la North Pole. The exotic hotels are not only those near the ocean and tropic palms.
VIDEO: Vanilla, pistachio... orchid
With the assistance of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Ukraine we visited Damascus and enjoyed very interesting place. Watch!
Water gates. Impressive world harbors
Airports, railway and bus stations are almost always erected at a human whim, while ports and harbours are joint creation of homo sapiens and nature. In this article OUTLOOK presents you the most beautiful port destinations with their own unique character worth exploring.
Statement by the Australian Ambassador on the occasion of the National Day
Australian Ambassador to Ukraine Bruce Edwards in his appeal on the occasion National Day addressed the main challenges that Australia faced in 2020 and also assured that "together, we will make a difference".
Director-General of the OUTLOOK Daria Kariakina on the Role of Public Initiatives in the Field of Cultural Diplomacy
On November 18 Director-General of the OUTLOOK Project and a public figure Daria Kariakina participated as an expert in a cross-border project European Values and Cultural Diplomacy: Youth Meetings Ukraine – Georgia.
Fourth International Golf Tournament "Ambassador’s Cup"
The International Golf Tournament "Ambassador’s Cup" is a sporting event for diplomatic guests has been organised by GDIP together with "Kozyn" Golf Center for several consecutive years.
ADNOC announces $20.7 billion energy infrastructure deal
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with some of the world’s leading infrastructure investors and operators, sovereign wealth and pension funds.
Ambassador Melissa O'Rourke held a diplomatic reception in Kyiv
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Commonwealth of Australia Melissa O’Rourke welcomed the guests of honor on 27 January on the occasion if the National Day . Ambassadors of India, Belgium, Greece, Afghanistan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Switzerland, Slovenia and diplomats from other countries were invited.
The Embassy of India to Ukraine celebrated the Republic Day on grand scale
On January 27, the Embassy of India organized a reception to mark the 71st Day of the Republic of India. India gained independence from colonial occupation on August 15, 1947, and the Constitution of modern and independent India came into force on January 26, 1950. This day became the history of the state and has been celebrated since that times.
Ambassador Anica Djamić organized a concert in Kyiv on Croatia presidency of the Council of the EU
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Croatia to Ukraine, Ms. Anica Djamić, organized a concert in Kyiv on the occasion of Croatia's presidency of the Council of the EU. Friends and partners of the diplomatic institution as well as statesmen visited the philharmonic.
Ambassador of Sudan in Ukraine Mohamed Eisa Ismail Dahab held a diplomatic reception in Kyiv
On the occasion of the Sudan National Day, a diplomatic reception took place in the capital of Ukraine, gathering at one of the five-star Kyiv hotels heads of diplomatic missions, regional and international organizations accredited to Ukraine, Ukrainian officials and Sudanese students studying in Ukraine.
Start of the conference "Turkmenistan and international organizations: cooperation for peace and development"
On January 14, 2020, the International Conference “Turkmenistan and International Organizations: Cooperation for Peace and Development” dedicated to the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan in the year of 2020 marked by “Turkmenistan – Home of Neutrality” has started in Ashgabat.
Ambassador of Indonesia to Ukraine Yuddi Krisnandi and OUTLOOK project Director General Dariia Kariakina hold a FEEL Indonesia special project
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Ukraine and OUTLOOK project on December 23, 2019 in the creative space "Art Prichal" within the framework of the OUTLOOK WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL hold FEEL Indonesia special event on December 23, 2019 in the creative space "Art Prichal".
Diplomatic Greetings project by OUTLOOK and GDIP with the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Ukraine
A meeting of representatives of the diplomatic sphere with students took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Ukraineat the end of December. The School of Young Ukrainian Diplomat ofthe Institute of International Relations of KNU n.a.Taras Shevchenko ...
28th Independence Day of Kazakhstan. Ambassador Samat Ordabayev held a diplomatic reception
On December 4, 2019, a diplomatic reception on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held in the capital. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Hungary, representatives of state institutions and international organizations...
Charity Bazaar 2019 was held in Kyiv with the participation of embassies
On November 30, 2019, at the Olympic Stadium, the International Women's Club of Kyiv (IWCK), a non-governmental non-profit organization founded in 1992, organized a traditional Charity Bazzar in order to raise funds to help orphans, the elderly, children with special needs and internally displaced persons from eastern Ukraine .
The Ambassador Cristian-Leon Țurcanu: "Romania is not only a neighbour but also a friend of the Ukrainian people"
A diplomatic reception organized by the Romanian Embassy in Ukraine took place in Kyiv. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors of Israel, Estonia, Germany, Turkey, France and diplomats from other countries visited the event to celebrate the founding moment in the history of modern Romania - the Great Union of 1918.
FEEL SOUTH AFRICA event by OUTLOOK project and RSA Embassy took place in Kyiv
On November 21, OUTLOOK together with the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Ukraine carried out the FEEL SOUTH AFRICA project within the framework of the festival of the cultures of the world OUTLOOK WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL.
Workshop on Cooking Varenyky Dumplings for the Ambassador's Spouses Club from the Outlook Project And Culinary Expert Ievgen Klopotenko
On the initiative of the Ambassador's Spouses Club, Outlook Project organized a culinary workshop on shaping varenyky dumplings from a Ukrainian chef and co-owner of 100 Years Back in Future Ievgen Klopotenko.
Закрыть
Outlook facebook page