UAE Highlights Women Empowerment And Gender Equality Model At High-Level Political Forum
The UAE has emphasised the importance of empowering women and achieving gender equality as part of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. This was highlighted during the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. The UAE's approach focuses on empowering women, promoting gender equality, and supporting motherhood and childhood for sustainable growth.
The UAE delegation showcased national policies that have increased women's representation in leadership roles. These include the Equal Pay Law and constitutional guarantees for equal opportunities. Notably, women now make up 50% of Federal National Council members and 26% of Cabinet members. Additionally, 46% of STEM graduates in the UAE are women, and they form 80% of the scientific leadership team in the Emirates Mars Mission.
The UAE also plays a significant role in global efforts to empower women through initiatives like Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s Women in Peace and Security Initiative. The delegation expressed readiness to share its experiences with the international community to promote gender equality beyond 2030.
A roundtable hosted by the National Secretariat on SDGs and the UAE Consulate General in New York City focused on accelerating innovation to promote gender equality post-2030. Discussions included bridging the digital gender gap, transforming the care economy, and empowering women leaders. Scalable solutions were presented to advance SDG 5.
Participants at the roundtable included Savannah Mazhya, Minister of Information and Communications Technology in Eswatini; Abdulla Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness; Dr Manal Taryam from Noor Dubai Foundation; Chelsea Molden from Public Policy Lab; Stephanie Sirota from RTW Investments; and Andrew Billo from UN Initiative to End Violence Against Women.
Lootah stated: "Over decades of sustainable development centred on the family, the UAE has made community empowerment both the finish line and the starting point of development. This approach is what the UAE is ready to share with everyone around the world."
Sharing Knowledge for Inclusive Development
The UAE's participation in HLPF included sharing knowledge gained from empowering society for inclusive development through meetings and partnerships. The delegation also shared insights into establishing the National Committee on SDGs in 2017 during an event organised by Qatar ahead of their Global Summit for Social Development scheduled for November.
The UAE remains committed to advancing gender equality by sharing its successful models with other nations. By fostering collaboration, it aims to contribute significantly towards achieving sustainable development goals globally.
With inputs from WAM
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