Emirati Women’s Day: UAE Highlights Progress on Gender Equality and Female Participation
The UAE will celebrate the ‘Emirati Women’s Day’ tomorrow, Wednesday, to honor the remarkable achievements and contributions of Emirati women to the nation’s development under the theme ‘We share for tomorrow’. This year’s Emirati Women’s Day highlights the country’s advancements in women’s empowerment. Moreover, it emphasizes the significance of constant development in this area.
Significant Strides in Gender Equality
In recent years, the UAE has made significant strides in achieving gender equality. It ranked 7th globally and 1st regionally on the Gender Inequality Index 2024, issued by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The UAE’s rank rose significantly from 49th place in 2015 and 11th place in 2022. These reforms have enhanced women’s status and contributed to the UAE’s global competitiveness.
Initiatives to Close the Gender Gap
As the UAE gears up to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day, it sheds light on several initiatives and programs that have raised female participation and empowerment across all aspects of life. Over the past few years, the UAE has implemented several laws and legislative amendments that encompass various aspects of women’s lives. This includes work, protection, political participation and personal status. Ahead of the Emirati Women’s Day, the UAE highlighted its Gender Balance Strategy 2022-2026 which seeks to position the country as a global model for gender balance. The strategy includes four pillars:
- Economic participation and entrepreneurship
- Financial inclusion, well-being and quality of life
- Protection
- Global leadership and partnerships
The strategy aims to transition the UAE from closing gender gaps and exploring best practices to becoming an exporter of best gender balance practices with a focus on the post-global competitiveness phase.
Progress on Female Participation in the UAE
Ahead of the Emirati Women's Day, the Emirates Businesswomen Council revealed that the share of women in the UAE workforce rose to 34.6 percent in 2024, up from 32.5 percent in 2023. That is significantly higher than the regional average. In the Middle East and Northern Africa, gender parity in the labor force participation rate is the lowest of all regions at 28 percent on average. The region’s only exceptions are Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, which have also seen significant increases since 2006. Notably, the UAE was the only country in the region to achieve full parity in parliament this year. Furthermore, there is now paid maternity leave of up to 90 days for Emirati mothers in Abu Dhabi private sector.
Key Data and Progress Indicators
- Gender Inequality Index Rank (2024): 7th globally
- Gender Inequality Index Rank (2015): 49th place
- UAE workforce share (2024): 34.6 percent
- UAE workforce share (2023): 32.5 percent
- UAE Gender Gap Rating (2023): 71.2 percent
- Parliamentary representation: Full parity achieved in 2024