UAE's Commitment To Gender Balance And Women's Empowerment Highlighted By UN Rapporteur Reem Alsalem

Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, highlighted the UAE's commitment to gender equality. She stated that this focus is strongly backed by the country's leadership, government, and citizens. Her remarks were made during a press conference at the end of her official visit to the UAE, as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Alsalem praised the UAE for its significant achievements in empowering women and ensuring their active involvement in various sectors. She noted that these efforts have laid a strong foundation for further advancements in women's empowerment and protection from violence. The UAE's policies aim to reinforce women's roles in society while safeguarding girls.

The UAE has made notable progress in fulfilling its international commitments to women's rights. Alsalem expressed gratitude to the UAE government for facilitating her visit, which she described as one of her most organised and cooperative experiences. This visit was part of her sixth mission to different countries to assess their policies on protecting women and girls.

During her time in Abu Dhabi, Alsalem acknowledged the UAE's remarkable strides in promoting women's rights across all sectors, including politics and economics. She highlighted that the UAE ranked 7th globally and 1st regionally in the United Nations Gender Equality Index for 2024. Additionally, it received an impressive score of 82.5 out of 100 from the World Bank in 2023 for ensuring women's rights.

The UAE's constitution guarantees equality before the law, social justice, and equal opportunities for all. Over time, numerous initiatives have been launched to promote gender balance, empower women, strengthen family values, and address violations against women and girls. A positive legal framework exists for children's rights, including "Federal Law on Child Rights Law (Wadeema)," which protects children from abuse and exploitation.

Efforts to enhance women's political empowerment include increasing female representation in the Federal National Council to 50% and establishing the UAE Gender Balance Council. Institutions like the General Women's Union and Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood play crucial roles in supporting women and raising awareness about their rights.

International Recognition of UAE Initiatives

The UAE has been commended for supporting United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. The launch of the 'Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Women Peace and Security Initiative' in 2019 underscores its commitment to advancing global agendas related to Women, Peace, and Security.

Alsalem praised various programmes aimed at supporting girls who are victims of violence. These initiatives reflect a comprehensive approach towards addressing gender-based issues within society.

The UAE continues to demonstrate its dedication to gender equality through robust policies and initiatives that empower women across different fields while ensuring their protection from violence.

With inputs from WAM