UAE Gender Balance Council Showcases National Achievements In Women's Empowerment At G20 Meeting

The UAE Gender Balance Council showcased the country's achievements in empowering women economically and enhancing financial inclusion at the G20 Empower Working Group's third technical meeting. Held from 1-4 July in South Africa, the event gathered G20 member states, invited nations, civil society organisations, and experts to discuss gender balance and women's economic empowerment. Key topics included increasing women's leadership roles and combating gender-based violence.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, highlighted that gender balance is a national priority aligned with the UAE leadership's vision. She stated, "Driven by this forward-thinking vision, the UAE is firmly committed to promoting an inclusive approach to gender balance, one that safeguards, supports, and empowers women in all areas of life." She praised South Africa's agenda for focusing on ending gender-based violence, advancing the care economy, and promoting women's financial inclusion.

Mona Al Marri reiterated the UAE's dedication to these goals and its progress in collaborating with G20 partners for tangible outcomes. She emphasised that these efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 5 and contribute significantly to the G20’s policy agenda. The UAE aims to transform shared aspirations into concrete results through cooperation and innovation.

During the meeting, Mouza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, stressed strengthening cooperation among G20 countries for gender balance and women's empowerment. She discussed strategies to boost women's representation in leadership roles. Mouza Al Suwaidi highlighted innovative legislation and policies in the UAE aimed at economically empowering women and addressing gender-based violence.

She noted specific laws protecting women from violence and institutional initiatives supporting these efforts. The UAE's role in enhancing regional capacities through partnerships, training programs, and policy exchanges was also discussed. These initiatives aim to create safe environments where women can fully contribute to national development.

Mouza Al Suwaidi underscored the care economy's importance as a social and economic necessity. She referenced national laws led by the Ministry of Community Development that support this sector. Additionally, she highlighted achievements in promoting women's financial inclusion by ensuring access to financial services as crucial for independence and resilience.

A significant milestone mentioned was the launch of the National Financial Inclusion and Literacy Strategy in May 2025. This initiative aims to enhance financial literacy across various demographics. Mouza Al Suwaidi expressed pride in the UAE’s progress in these areas while reaffirming commitment to further advancements alongside G20 partners.

The council remains committed to building a future grounded in gender balance where both women and men enjoy safety, respect, and opportunities for growth. The collaborative efforts with international partners aim to foster environments where everyone can reach their full potential without barriers based on gender.

With inputs from WAM