The Strengthening Positions of the Emirati Women

To gauge the level of development in a country, it is often advised to take a look at the condition of its children and women. The status that they enjoy, reflects the developmental and societal framework. No nation has the right to call itself developed if the women and children do not enjoy the basic rights. The progress of a country is not just indicated by progress in infrastructure and economy but also by its societal fabric. For ages, gender discrimination has been a major issue across the world. It has, and at many places, continues to create disparities at social, economic, psychological, and many other levels.  

Changing times, influential change-makers, enlightened Governments, and social reforms have now brought a sea-change in the condition of women. The nations, now realize that keeping women to the confines is keeping development and economic progress on a pause mode. The Arab world, especially the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has been the face of development for few decades, has surely shown the world what a difference can be made with a slight change in mindset.  

The UAE has managed to break the stereotypes and preconceptions associated with the condition of women in the region, through slow and steady reforms. The traditional and religious structure of the society in UAE have regarded women as the backbone of a family. With the change in social outlook, the process of modernization and the influence of globalization, the focus has now shifted from being just at home to being at work too. The Government’s vision is to provide women with the tools and facilities that will enable them to live a financially independent and professionally fulfilling life. It aims to create an environment that is conducive to women choosing a professional life in either the public or private sector.  

Women at Work  

The reforms commenced at the Constitutional and Legal levels. The Constitution of UAE gives equal rights to all its citizens including women. With regular amendments, it has been taking into account issues earlier unaddressed, like maternity leave, child custody, nursing breaks and more.  

Next came the Gender-Balance issue or the lack of it. In May 2015, the Government established the UAE Gender Balance Council which carries out functions like legislation and policies review and initiating programs to achieve gender balance in the workplace. The Council oversees the implementation of best practices and processes to ensure federal institutions achieve their gender balance targets per UAE’s vision to become one of the world’s top 25 countries for gender equality by 2021.  

Education is considered the most potent tool to bring about change. Being a fundamental right, education for Emiratis is free in public schools, colleges, and universities. The UAE government, with a focus on the elimination of gender disparities in education, ensures equal access to all levels of education and vocational training. To bring the compulsory school-leaving age in line with other advanced countries the UAE Cabinet approved a new law in July 2012 making it compulsory for Emirati children to start schooling at the age of 6. They shall remain in school until they have completed Grade 12 or reach the age of 18, whichever occurs first.  

In 1973, the first women’s meeting in the UAE ‘The Renaissance of Abu Dhabi Women Association’ was held. Kick-starting the socio-economic empowerment of women. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak envisioning the unitary ideology of her husband, the late Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE, established General Women’s Union(GWU) in 1975 joining all women associations in the UAE. 

Since then, several initiatives have been taken by the Government for economic empowerment.  

In December 2012, the Government issued a decision on the mandatory membership of Emirati women in the Boards of Directors of federal bodies, companies, and institutions. In 2015, the GWU launched National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in the UAE for 2015-2021(WAM) providing a framework for government, private sector, and civil society organizations to establish work plans aiming at women empowerment.  

Things to Look Forward to  

To show citizens the way, the Government started practicing inclusivity at its own end. Among the 32 ministers of the current government, 9 are women which makes up almost 27 percent. The participation of women in the UAE Cabinet is among the highest in the world, indicative of the strong position of the Emirati women. The UAE also observes August 28, every year, as the Emirati Women’s Day. The changes and reformative steps taken are now reflecting in the social structure of the UAE. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2016, the UAE’s global rank is as follows: 

• 8th rank for the sub-index of wage equality for similar work 

• 1st rank for the sub-index of literacy rate 
• 1st rank for the sub-index of enrolment in secondary education 
• 1st rank for the sub-index of sex ratio at birth (female/male) 

The country wishes to stop not and proceed on its path to bring equality that is long due.