Latest news with #UAEGenderBalanceCouncil
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Showcases Progress in Women's Economic Participation at High-Level Regional Dialogue
Saudi Arabia participated in a high-level regional dialogue focused on enhancing women's economic participation alongside government representatives from Gulf states, including the UAE and Bahrain. The event, held in Dubai on June 17–18, was organized by the UAE Gender Balance Council in cooperation with the World Bank. The sessions and workshops featured the exchange of expertise and successful policy models to advance gender equality in the workforce. Representing the Kingdom, Female Enablement General Director at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Dr. Hanadi Al-Hokair joined a panel alongside her counterparts from the UAE and Bahrain. She presented the Kingdom's practical strategies to boost women's engagement in the labor market and highlighted recent policy reforms and milestones in Saudi Arabia's economic empowerment of women. Interactive sessions led by World Bank experts explored childcare policies that support women's employment, global best practices for integrating women into the digital economy, and reforms that facilitate women's entry into non-traditional sectors such as technology and the green economy. Participants also reviewed global legal frameworks and successful case studies from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. A dedicated session addressed the methodology of the World Bank's Women, Business and the Law Index, a key global benchmark for assessing gender-related regulatory progress. The Kingdom's efforts have yielded significant achievements, with women's labor force participation increasing from 17% in 2017 to over 36% in 2025, surpassing the original targets of Vision 2030. The ministry's participation in the event reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to empowering women and elevating their role across all sectors in line with the Vision 2030.
Dubai Eye
20-06-2025
- Business
- Dubai Eye
GCC policy dialogue to promote women's leadership in workforce
A policy dialogue on women's economic empowerment concluded in Dubai, with GCC countries backing efforts for joint legal reforms, childcare investment and enhanced knowledge exchange across institutions. Led by the UAE Gender Balance Council and the World Bank, the workshop brought together leaders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to share strategies aimed at expanding women's participation in the workforce, particularly through support for childcare and maternity policies. The UAE emphasised its initiatives to enhance gender balance in the labour market, Saudi Arabia outlined advances in workforce participation and social insurance for women and Bahrain showcased national upskilling programs and empowerment strategies. A joint brief was presented to guide future cooperation, marking a key step toward building inclusive, opportunity-driven economies across the region. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said, 'Women's economic empowerment is not simply a policy objective, it is a force for transformation. It strengthens institutions, drives innovation and ensures that progress is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable." Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, highlighted that "regional collaboration drives progress". "By uniting to promote gender balance, we amplify our collective impact and ensure that every woman in the GCC has the chance to contribute to shaping a more inclusive future," she added. Since its establishment in 2015, the Council has led policies, legal reforms and partnerships aimed at embedding gender balance across national institutions and economic systems.
Hi Dubai
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Gender Balance Council Leads GCC Push to Advance Women's Economic Empowerment
A high-level regional dialogue led by the UAE Gender Balance Council and the World Bank concluded in Dubai this week, with GCC countries reaffirming their shared commitment to accelerating women's economic empowerment through policy reform, legal innovation, and institutional collaboration. The two-day GCC Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Women's Economic Empowerment gathered top policymakers and gender equality advocates from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Held under the UAE Gender Balance Centre for Excellence & Knowledge Exchange, the workshop provided a platform to share reform experiences and strengthen cross-border cooperation on inclusive economic development. H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, described women's empowerment as 'a force for transformation,' and emphasised the UAE's vision for regional collaboration to ensure sustainable, inclusive growth. Supported by the World Bank, the forum highlighted initiatives such as investments in childcare and maternity support, recent legal reforms, and country-specific strategies to boost female workforce participation. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain showcased progress in gender-responsive policymaking, skills development, and labour market inclusion. Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, called the event 'a powerful example of shared leadership,' underscoring the importance of uniting efforts to close economic gender gaps across the region. The workshop concluded with a joint brief outlining key insights and future cooperation plans. Organisers say the momentum will continue through a growing regional network aimed at building inclusive economies driven by equal opportunity. News Source: Emirates News Agency
TAG 91.1
20-06-2025
- Business
- TAG 91.1
UAE hosts GCC policy dialogue to advance women's economic empowerment
A dialogue on women's economic empowerment concluded in Dubai, with GCC countries backing efforts for joint legal reforms, childcare investment and knowledge exchange across institutions. Led by the UAE Gender Balance Council and the World Bank, the workshop brought together leaders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to share policies and strategies that expand women's participation in the workforce. A joint brief was presented to guide future cooperation, marking a key step toward building inclusive, opportunity-driven economies across the region. Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of the Dubai Women Establishment and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, said, 'Women's economic empowerment is not simply a policy objective, it is a force for transformation. It strengthens institutions, drives innovation, and ensures that progress is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.' Since its establishment in 2015, the Council has led policies, legal reforms and partnerships aimed at embedding gender balance across national institutions and economic systems.
Al Etihad
12-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE Gender Balance Council showcases national achievements at G20 Women's Empowerment Working Group Meeting in South Africa
12 May 2025 23:00 DUBAI (WAM)The UAE, represented by the UAE Gender Balance Council, participated in the second technical meeting of the G20 Women's Empowerment Working Group, held in South Africa on 8–9 May under the country's G20 UAE delegation included Mouza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and Maitha Al Hashimi, Director of Strategic Studies and delegation highlighted key national initiatives aimed at advancing gender balance and promoting women's empowerment across Council's presentation focused on the UAE's success in three key areas: eliminating gender-based violence, strengthening the care economy, and expanding financial inclusion. The delegation also highlighted national strategies to increase women's representation in leadership Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, underscored the UAE's steadfast contributions to G20 discussions and the close alignment between the Working Group's priorities and the nation's women's empowerment emphasised that empowering women across sectors is a national objective, achieved through progressive legislation, institutional support, capacity-building programmes and ambitious targets. These measures have driven notable gains in women's leadership within government, business, technology and the green also highlighted the value of international collaboration through platforms such as the G20 Women's Empowerment Working Group. Guided by H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the Council remains committed to sharing its achievements and adopting global best practices.'We are proud to share our success stories in care economy development, financial inclusion and women's leadership, while drawing on insights from global partners to build more equitable, prosperous societies,' she at the meeting, Mouza Al Suwaidi highlighted the UAE's efforts to advance women in leadership roles across all sectors. Backed by national policies and the strong support of the country's leadership, these initiatives have significantly increased women's representation in decision-making women hold 50 percent of the seats in the Federal National Council and around one-third of cabinet positions. Their presence has also grown across the judiciary, diplomatic corps, and senior executive roles in both the public and private sectors. The implementation of the Equal Pay for Equal Work Law in 2018 has further strengthened the foundation for more women to move into top leadership Al Suwaidi reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to financial inclusion, underscoring the constitutional guarantees and Central Bank policies that ensure women have equal access to financial services.'The UAE remains committed to advancing women's financial autonomy and participation in economic life,' Al Suwaidi said. 'Our Constitution and laws guarantee equal rights for women to own property, access credit, and participate in commercial activities.'She also highlighted the country's expanding care economy, supported by comprehensive laws and policies such as maternity and parental leave, remote work options, and the provision of on-site nurseries in government workplaces. In 2024, the UAE launched the Ministry of Family Affairs to further strengthen family stability, reinforcing the family's role as a cornerstone of both society and the addition, she outlined the UAE's multi-layered approach to addressing gender-based violence, which includes robust legislation and protective frameworks to safeguard women's safety and her remarks, Al Suwaidi said, 'We value the platform the G20 provides to share knowledge, shape global dialogue, and drive collective action toward gender equality. The UAE looks forward to continuing this important partnership—with all of you—as we work toward a future where our daughters and sons enjoy equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal safety.' On the sidelines of the meeting, Mouza Al Suwaidi held discussions with several high-level officials to explore partnerships and exchange expertise in gender balance policy. Her engagements included meetings with Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in South Africa; Dr. Maimoona Al Khalil, Secretary-General of Saudi Arabia's Family Affairs Council; Anil Malik, Secretary at India's Ministry of Women and Child Development; Reinaldo Luther Yusak Lolong, Head of the Indonesian delegation; Leow Sui Lin, Director at Singapore's Ministry of Social and Family Development; and Wendy Teleki, Head of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi).
