UAE Strengthens Commitment To Gender Equality And Women's Empowerment Through UN Women Partnership

The UAE is strengthening its global commitment to gender equality through a strategic alliance with UN Women. This partnership, initiated in March 2024, involves a US$15 million investment over three and a half years. It aims to elevate women's status worldwide and support the UN Women Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The UAE's leadership in advancing gender balance is evident as it ranks first in the Arab region for closing the gender gap. The country also leads in the Global Gender Gap Index by the World Economic Forum. This new Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF) builds on these achievements, aiming to promote women-focused foreign policies globally.

The SPF seeks to enhance women's representation in diplomacy and provide high-level advisory support. The UAE remains dedicated to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which focuses on increasing women's participation in peacebuilding and contributing to the global women, peace, and security agenda.

This partnership will also accelerate women's economic empowerment, especially in African and Latin American countries. It aims to strengthen women's roles in climate action while supporting the UN Women Liaison Office in developing gender equality efforts across the Gulf region.

Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the General Women’s Union, stated, "With the vision and support of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak...the UAE continues to lead in women’s empowerment and gender equality...We are proud to collaborate with the UN Women Liaison Office in the GCC to advance this vision."

The Strategic Partnership Framework highlights sustainable financing and concrete commitments needed to address structural barriers to gender equality. By embedding gender considerations into foreign policy and key areas such as women, peace, and security, it seeks to advance priorities like economic empowerment and climate action.

Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women Liaison Office for the GCC, remarked, "The UAE’s unwavering support for UN Women...has been instrumental in strengthening regional and international cooperation for women’s empowerment...setting a global example for impactful change."

The partnership focuses on ensuring full participation of women in leadership roles within governance and peacebuilding. It aims to develop a women-centred foreign policy model that promotes empowerment and contributions to global peace initiatives.

Progress in Gender Balance

The UAE has made significant progress in gender balance, rising from 49th place globally in 2015 to seventh place globally by 2024 according to the United Nations Development Programme's Gender Equality Index. Regionally, it holds first place.

This advancement reflects the UAE's dedication to leading efforts towards gender equality both regionally and internationally. The partnership with UN Women further solidifies its role as a leader committed to impactful change.

With inputs from WAM