Emirati women play key role in UAE’s 2024 achievements

Emirati women have played a vital role in the UAE’s most significant achievements during 2024, a year marked by their growing presence and impact across various fields.

The year has witnessed several milestones that highlight the success of the UAE’s policies to empower and build the capacities of Emirati women. Notably, the UAE advanced to 7th place globally and retained its top regional position in the UN Gender Equality Index 2024, issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Women’s representation in the UAE government increased with the appointment of Sana Bint Mohammed Suhail as Minister of Family, following the establishment of the new ministry.

The UAE launched the National Policy for Improving Women’s Health, aimed at creating a comprehensive, multi-sectoral framework to ensure women have access to the highest levels of preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative healthcare throughout their lives.

To strengthen women’s roles in sustainable economic development, the Ministry of Economy has issued a ministerial decision mandating private joint-stock companies in the UAE to allocate at least one seat for women on their boards of directors after the completion of the current board’s term. This directive, part of a national economic empowerment strategy, will be implemented starting January 2025 to promote diversity in business leadership.

In this context, the Ministry of Economy and the General Women’s Union signed a cooperation memorandum to improve communication and unify efforts aimed at advancing economic empowerment and strengthening women’s roles in sustainable economic development.

The agreement aims to advance the economic empowerment agenda and strengthen the role of women in sustainable economic development, one of the distinguishing features of the UAE’s inspiring model for women’s empowerment.

This partnership focuses on increasing the participation of women entrepreneurs in commercial activities and promoting their economic contribution both locally and regionally.

The General Women’s Union launched the second phase of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme, aimed at equipping Emirati women with skills in various sectors, particularly entrepreneurship.

The programme supports women starting or expanding small and medium-sized businesses.

During the 2024 UAE Government’s annual meetings, an agreement was signed between the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council and the UAE Gender Balance Council to enhance Emirati women’s participation in the private sector through joint initiatives and programmes.

Women made up 70% of university graduates in the UAE, constituted 46% of the total workforce, and 68% of them were employed in the public sector.

They held nearly one-third of ministerial positions and comprised 50% of the Federal National Council’s seats.

Recently, Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, said that gender balance and equality between men and women are top priorities for the UAE.

“This steadfast and clear approach enjoys the full support of the country’s leadership, government, citizens, and residents,” she said in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of a press conference held at the conclusion of her official visit to the UAE.

Alsalem highlighted that the UAE’s programmes and policies are designed to empower women and promote their active participation across all sectors.

She further emphasised that the UAE has accomplished significant milestones in this area, creating a solid foundation for continued progress in women’s empowerment, reinforcing their role in society, and ensuring the support and protection of girls from violence.

Alsalem stated that this visit marks the sixth she has undertaken to various countries to examine their policies on protecting women and girls.

She emphasised that her official visit to the UAE was among the most organised and cooperative, with her numerous meeting requests being accommodated and the programme being executed with great flexibility and ease.

WAM