Dubai Municipality Becomes First Entity Globally To Achieve ISO Certification For Gender Equality

Dubai Municipality has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first entity globally to receive the ISO 53800 certification for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. This recognition, awarded by Global TUV, highlights the UAE's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment, aligning with the nation’s forward-thinking policies on justice, merit, and equal opportunity.

The certification coincides with Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August, underscoring the vital role of women in the UAE's development. It supports the 'Year of Community’ initiative, promoting social justice and inclusive participation. The achievement sends a strong message that gender equality is integral to sustainable development and social cohesion.

Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, expressed pride in this accomplishment. He stated: "We are proud of this achievement, which highlights Dubai and the UAE’s leadership in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the directives of our leadership." This recognition reflects Dubai Municipality's dedication to embedding equality as a core value.

Nasser BuShehab, CEO of Planning and Governance at Dubai Municipality, highlighted the importance of this achievement for workplace culture. He noted that receiving ISO 53800 certification is a crucial step in creating an inclusive work environment that promotes equality and empowers women while ensuring work-life balance.

Azza Al Marzooqi, Director of Human Resources at Dubai Municipality, emphasised that this international recognition enhances employee satisfaction and productivity. It aligns with their strategy for employee happiness and talent retention, directly impacting service quality delivered to Dubai’s community.

The UAE has made notable strides in gender balance and women’s empowerment. It ranked 7th globally in the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index for 2024. This marks a significant improvement from its previous positions over recent years.

The ISO 53800 standard is issued by TUV, a German company renowned for auditing and certification expertise worldwide. The standard provides a framework for promoting gender equality through policies on equal opportunities, leadership empowerment, pay equity, and fair organisational practices.

This recognition showcases Dubai Municipality's mature human resources policies and governance frameworks. It enhances its ability to attract top talent while fostering innovation and excellence in public service delivery.

The UAE's progress in gender equality demonstrates its leadership on a global scale. By achieving this certification, Dubai sets an example for institutions worldwide to transform principles into tangible impacts.

With inputs from WAM