Breaking the Glass Ceiling: UAE is leading the Gender Equality at Workplace

The boardrooms across the United Arab Emirates are witnessing a great shift in leading inclusion of women in leadership and management roles. The range doesn’t stop there as there are several women CEOs flourishing, a sign of UAE changing and progressing towards filling out the gender gap and promoting gender equality. 

UAE in the last few years has spaced out the opportunity for a steady growth in women taking roles at higher positions from tech startups to government based companies. 

Gender no bar in business roles

For several decades, the business sector irrespective of the field was seemingly reserved for men and dominated even in growing fields by monotonous minds. The recent decades with the initiatives from higher government officials and policy makers in addressing for a new perspective and opportunity shifted the gears. 

The UAE government joined the deck in providing policies, initiatives to set out gender roles especially in leadership roles. 

UAE Initiatives and Policies

The UAE Gender Balance Council has recently launched the Gender Equality Acceleration Pledge, aiming to build up 30% of women in senior roles by 2028. The initiative signed by leaders from major organisations, the initiative focuses on equal pay, inclusive hiring, and mentorship programs, with annual progress tracking. 

This will foster gender diversity and equality in decision making roles and in achieving the global sustainability goals of UAE. 

The legal framework of the UAE Gender Balance Council aims “To build on the measures set out in the Constitution, the UAE has implemented a range of laws and decrees to ensure women have equal access to education, jobs, social benefits, health benefits and tenure of government offices.” 

National and International initiatives

Women own 1 in 10 private sector companies in the UAE and over 23,000 Emirati businesswoman run projects worth more than AED 50 billion ($13.6 billion). UAE also has government bodies like the General Women’s Union, Gender Balance Council and The National Committee To Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT). Women also hold 50% of the council’s seats, one of the highest percentages globally. 30% of women are employed in leadership roles, and 15% in technical and academic roles, reports the Permanent Committee for Human Rights. 

• A significant Cabinet Decree issued in 2018 endorsed a bill for a major piece of legislation that ensures equal pay for men and women in the public sector. This decree was extended to the private sector in 2020.

• Representatives from ADNOC, Al-Futtaim IKEA, Emirates NBD, Mediclinic Middle East, and others committed to practical steps, including equal pay initiatives, gender-inclusive recruitment, and mentorship programs.

• A Directive issued in 2019 ensures that women hold 50% of the UAE Federal National Council seats and the same year worked on equal representation in the UAE judiciary.

Women Role Models in UAE for leadership achievement

Women in the UAE hold some of the most progressive positions in politics, tech CEO, startups and government bodies. Here are some of the inspiring and setting examples as trail blazers in major sectors: 

HE Dr Amal Al Qubaisi was elected speaker of the UAE Federal National Council in 2015 and is the first female leader of a national assembly in the Arab World. 

Amira Sajwani is a formidable force, shaping the skyline of UAE real estate sector and beyond. As a key player in the real estate industry, her achievements in boardrooms and practice are aspiring.