UAE Sets A Benchmark In Advancing Women's Leadership Through Comprehensive Empowerment Initiatives
The UAE has established a robust framework to empower women, focusing on overcoming challenges and expanding leadership opportunities across various sectors. This approach has bolstered the nation's competitiveness both regionally and globally. National bodies like the UAE Gender Balance Council and Dubai Women Establishment have played pivotal roles in nurturing Emirati women's leadership skills, facilitating their rise to senior positions in public and private sectors.
Efforts to increase women's participation in leadership roles are being intensified by the UAE Gender Balance Council. Mouza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the Council, emphasised that strategies are being implemented to create inclusive workplaces. These initiatives involve collaboration with strategic partners from both public and private sectors to enhance women's representation in leadership.
The UAE's commitment to gender equality is evident through its ambitious targets. The "SDG 5 Pledge to Accelerate Women’s Leadership in the UAE Private Sector" has been embraced by numerous national and international companies operating within the country. These companies have pledged to increase women's representation in middle and senior management roles to at least 30 percent by 2025 for early adopters, and by 2028 for recent participants.
The UAE Gender Balance Council Strategy 2026 aims to further narrow the gender gap across all sectors. It seeks to elevate the UAE's standing in global gender equality reports while promoting gender balance in decision-making roles. The strategy also aims to position the UAE as a model for gender balance legislation worldwide.
Naeema Ahli, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment, highlighted that advancing Emirati women’s leadership is a primary focus for the organisation. She stated that they continue to develop advanced training programmes aimed at building leadership skills for women across various sectors. These programmes are designed in collaboration with global institutions and universities renowned for executive education.
These initiatives not only equip women with contemporary leadership knowledge but also enhance their understanding of leadership dynamics within evolving work environments. They aim to build confidence among women in decision-making roles, preparing them for senior positions within international organisations.
Global Recognition
The UAE's efforts have been recognised globally, as evidenced by its ranking first regionally and 13th globally in the 2025 Gender Inequality Index published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This achievement underscores the country's commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering women across all sectors.
Through these comprehensive strategies and initiatives, the UAE continues to set benchmarks for gender balance, ensuring that women play a significant role in shaping the future of the nation across various domains.
With inputs from WAM
Sign in with Google