Emirati Women's Day: How UAE Government Supports Emirati Women With Unique Benefits

The contribution by Emirati women to the multicolored mosaic, while making skyscrapers and dunes, bears witness to the most important roles they play in carving out the features of the nation.

These women stem from the various echelons of society and have played their role, not only at pace with the rapid modernization of the UAE, but also in preserving its rich cultural heritage.

Free Learning for Life

Education in the UAE is not only a right but also a cornerstone of empowerment. All Emirati women receive free education, from primary school through to university. Government commitment to eradicating the root causes of gender disparities in educational provision ensures that women have equal access to all levels of schooling, and vocational training, that opens avenues to both academic and career success.

How to Access:

- Primary and Secondary Schooling: The government provides the facility for all government schools in the UAE, and thus the students get direct admission to all public schools free of tuition.
- Higher Education: Public Universities are UAE University, Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technology. Students directly apply to the mentioned universities through their official websites. The Ministry of Education has also provided with Scholarships Overseas Studies.
- Vocational Training: Various programs are offered at the vocational centres located at the local level. These can be reached and enquired upon through the Ministry of Education or the educational authority at the local level.

Special Initiatives

- Compulsory Education Law: All the Emirati children have to attend school from the age of 6 years until they clear Grade 12 or attain the age of 18 years, depending upon whichever falls first.
- Scholarships and Grants: Scholarships and grants are offered to meritorious students. This applies especially to the ones seeking to go for advanced studies or specialization.

Well-Rounded Healthcare System

Emirati women enjoy a well-rounded healthcare system, which covers their specific needs-from maternal and child health to cancer-related screenings and mental health services, among many others. The UAE's National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women emphasizes universal access to sexual and reproductive health services throughout the course of life as it highlights women's health.

1. Maternal and Child Health: Health services for all the help you and your child may need can be easily got from any of the UAE's public hospitals and healthcare centers. Book an appointment through the Department of Health_ Abu Dhabi website or through the Dubai Health Authority Appointment System.
2. Cancer Screening: Cancer screening services in relation to breast and cervical cancer can avail for free at any of the public hospitals. Book an appointment through the official website of the Center or call the contact center of the hospital.
3. Mental Health Services: The Ministry of Community Development, among other health authorities, provides psychological support and counseling, especially through clinics such as Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.

Key Services:

- Family Consultation: The Ministry of Community Development offers online and physical family consultation services.
- Helpline Services: The Dubai Foundation for Women and Children provides counseling and support helplines on issues at home.
- Human Rights Complaints: the Community Development Authority deals with all issues in line with women's rights and opens up stages for legal action ,

Housing Benefits

What Is Provided: The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme offers residences designed only for the single Emirati women, whether widowed, divorced, or women working as the second wives to expatriates. This gives them safe and dwelling residence which is also affordable and as such gives them independence and stability within the community.

How to Apply: Applications for single women in need of housing assistance can be submitted on the official website of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme. Documents required: Emirates ID, income proof, and a necessary certificate.
Who is eligible for this?: All single Emirati women who do not own any kind of real estate property, with special consideration of the poorest and those with children.

What does this have to offer:

- Tailor-made Housing: It provides the housing unit designed to meet the specific needs of single women, from family-friendly to elder-friendly accommodation.
- Financial Assistance: Other financial assistance is being extended for those who may find concerns paying for the initial charges in housing.

A Safety Net for Every Need

What's Offered: In the case of any life challenge to Emirati women, be it widowhood, divorce, or low income, the UAE's social welfare system envisages financial aid by governmental bodies. That can range from housing, educational, and inflation subsidies, enabling women to support themselves with a decent living standard.

How to Access:

- Ministry of Community Development: One can apply for social welfare through the Ministry's website. The documents required are Emirates ID, Family book, and proof of income.
- Local Authorities: One can also seek assistance from community development authorities at various emirates.

Key Allowances:

- Monthly Financial Assistance: For Widows, divorced women, and women married to expatriates not able to provide for themselves due to unavoidable reasons.
- House Allowance: Up to Dh2,500 per month for housing assistance is provided to women
- Child Allowance: Per month, the allowances for children ranges from Dh800 to Dh2,400 based on the number of children.
- Disaster Support: During times of natural disaster, the Ministry for Community Development enables women to access cash benefits direct from the department

Leadership and Political Participation

Emirati women are encouraged to become leaders in government as well as in business. As such, the women occupy 50 percent of the seats of the Federal National Council, or FNC, and also play an important role in the highest level of government, with some key minister-level positions occupied by women. That means that through its gender commitment, the UAE gives women the right to be heard at the decision-making level.

How to Access:

- Leadership Programs: Government-sponsored leadership programs can be open to those women who aspire to get involve in public office or business. On this, more specific information can be accessed by visiting the website of the government agency taking responsibility for this cause.
- Political Candidacy: Women who are interested to be public officers or lawmakers can declare their candidacy through the National Election Committee, which supports the women candidates by providing resources and supporting services.

Notable Achievements:

- Women in the UAE hold ministerial portfolios, including ministries of Youth, Tolerance, and Food and Water Security.
- Diplomatic Injection of Roles: Women in the UAE become 30% of the diplomatic corps, of whom most are ambassadors and consuls.

Special Programs

Emirati society has many strategies aimed at the empowerment of women: these encompass all sectors and apply to all women at all ages. launched by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in 2015, this strategy aims to achieve the UAE's positioning among the most advanced countries in the world in terms of empowering women by 2021. This is a mechanism that ensures the sustainability and enhancement of social cohesion as a result of regional and international representation, whereby women can empower themselves.

The government offers a range of services tailor-made for women to access online, from those dealing with financial help to domestic counseling. It has made it convenient for women to access support services easily and quickly.

How It's Accessed:

- Family Counseling: Offered by the Ministry of Community Development online and takes care of domestic and family issues.
- Financial Aid: Women in need of financial can apply online through the Ministry of Community Development
- Taxi Services: Women of all ages in Sharjah can use women-only taxis through the new customer booking app for RTA Sharjah.
- Helpline Services: Dubai Foundation for Women and Children provides online helpline services for quick assistance
- Report: Women and Children trafficked can report them online through the Family Care Authority's online portal.

Transportation and Parking

A better and safer traveling facility for the women is available where women can travel through a taxi and public transport, along with the parking system of that need at multiple spots in the UAE.
How to Avail:
- Women only Taxis - Driven by women, pink taxis are running across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Can be booked online on the respective local traffic authority website and placed a booking over the phone.
- Public Transport - Women-only cabins are made available in metros, trams, and buses, thus keeping it simple. Just get in at the marked entry spots on the bus, tram, or metro.
- Parking - Pink-colored parking lots are exclusively reserved for women parking lots in Abu Dhabi. They are well marked to ease tiring parking space hunting in the busiest part of the city.

The UAE has all the benefits to empower Emirati women in various sectors. This will ensure that Emirati women can lead an adequate and quality life, provided with education, health, housing, and opportunities for leadership. Whether you wish to secure better education, better family living conditions, or to acquire an influential position, the UAE government offers resources and the necessary support to see you through.

Having so much in your favor, the future is right for every Emirati woman. Get off, get out, seize the opportunities available and enable the country to develop and prosper.