The Cabinet has approved the setting up of the UAE Gender Balance Council to ensure greater Emirati women role in all work fields so as to boost the UAE's local and international status.

The Council aims to reduce the gap between the two sexes at work in all sectors to achieve gender balance in decision-making and strengthen the position of the UAE in the Global Competitiveness reports in the area of the gender gap as well as make the UAE a role model in the gender balance.

It is chaired by Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Women's Establishment, DWE, while the Council's membership includes: Nora Al Suwaidi, Director of General Women Union, Reem Al Falasi, Secretary General of Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Mona Al Marri, Executive Director of DWE, Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Secretary General of Emirates Competitiveness Council, along with representatives from the Ministries of Presidential Affairs, Cabinet Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Economy, Social Affairs, Labour and Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.

The formation of the Council comes within the framework of the efforts of the UAE government to strengthen its position both domestically and internationally, and to strengthen the role of women in all walks of life, being essential partners in the making of future to achieve sustainable development in line with the state's directives.

The Council will carry out several functions, including review of legislation, policies and programmes to achieve the gender balance in the workplace, and to recommend activating international resolutions and agreements pertaining to the gender balance in the workplace in order to avoid discrimination against women.
Source: WAM