UAE participated in the BRICS meeting, held in St. Petersberg, Russia on Friday and was represented by its Gender Balance Council.
The meeting was themed ‘Women, Governance, and Leadership’. The meeting became a ground for BRICS to enable discussions about women’s empowerment around the globe and as a platform to exchange best practices and experiences about gender balance. The member countries also expressed their thoughts on ways to increase cooperation to overcome upcoming challenges and to drive more inclusivity and social progress.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council said, “Nine women serve as ministers, making up almost one-third of the UAE cabinet. Women now make up over 50 percent of our Federal National Council, demonstrating the country’s commitment to inclusive governance. Today, 70 percent of our university graduates and 57 percent of STEM graduates are women. Over 34 percent of key leadership roles in the private sector are held by women. The Council is a key enabler of women’s leadership, advocating policies and implementing programs that enhance the participation of women in governance and leadership both in the public and private sectors. Since its inception, the Council has worked on significant legal reforms that have enhanced gender balance.”
Meanwhile, Mouza Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said, “Platforms like the BRICS meeting play a key role in strengthening global cooperation, sharing best practices, and collectively advancing women’s leadership. The UAE is keen to explore joint initiatives with other countries across the world to drive forward meaningful progress on gender equality. By together fostering an environment where women are empowered in both governance and leadership, we can ensure that gender balance is deeply integrated into the fabric of society worldwide. This collaboration is essential for creating a sustainable future where gender equality is the norm across all sectors.”
The UAE has implemented numerous initiatives for women’s empowerment, demonstrating its commitment to gender equality. Women in the UAE enjoy equal rights to economic resources, owning 1 in 10 private sector companies. Women have equal pay for similar work and are well-protected in the workplace. In a recent move by the Ministry of Economy in UAE, female representation in every private joint-stock company board is compulsory after the end of the term of the current boards.
The UAE has consistently worked towards creating a more inclusive economy, and this was evident when it took part in the BRICS meeting in Russia. The country has shown leadership in promoting gender equality and economic growth, and its involvement in international platforms like BRICS further highlights this.
