Shaikh Mohammed forms UAE Gender Balance Council

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has announced the forming of the UAE Gender Balance Council, a federal entity chaired by President of Dubai Women Establishment, Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. The new body aims to boost UAE’s efforts to evolve and enhance women’s role as key partners in building the future of the nation.

Shaikh Mohammed declared the forming of the council while visiting “Toward Gender Balance in Governments”, a plenary session chaired by Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed during the second day of the Government Summit in Dubai. Shaikh Mohammed was accompanied by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.

Shaikh Mohammed expressed his pride that the UAE is hosting this inductive dialogue on one of the most important issues concerning women and contributes in granting her equal rights as equal partner.

Shaikh Mohammed said: “I am happy to be part of this discussion. We, in the United Arab Emirates, are keen to enable women and put her in the right position. What we had discussed in this session will not end here. Therefore, I declare the forming of the “UAE Gender Balance Council” chaired by Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed.”

Expressing her profound appreciation for his unlimited support, Shaikha Manal said that Shaikh Mohammed has always been a strong defender of women’s rights, believed in her capabilities and viewed her as original element in UAE’s formula for development. Shaikha Manal thanked Shaikh Mohammed for his directives to form the council and expressed gratitude for his precious trust put in her to chair a specialized centre endeavouring to achieve more equity between genders and carrying the legacy of the founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a man that set example for empowering women and unleashing her potentials. 

Shaikha Manal said the success of the Emirati women is the reap of Shaikh Zayed’s sow and the fruit of the efforts of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Shaikha Manal asserted that the work will commence immediately to draft and articulate the new council’s frameworks, processes and strategies towards achieving the aspiring vision of our leadership. 

While chairing “Toward Gender Balance in Governments” plenary session, Shaikha Manal lauded UAE’s leadership for the care and support provided for women in various aspects of life. She said that equity between genders is a key element for societies’ success and prosperity and a prerequisite to achieve happiness, security and stability of its members.

Addressing a host of regional and international senior officials, Shaikha Manal said that the UAE has gone far in empowering women, quoting Shaikh Mohammed: “We have moved beyond the phase of empowering women. Indeed, we are empowering society through women”. Shaikha Manal said: “The impact of a significant female presence in leadership roles has wide-ranging benefits on the economy, on governance, and on society at large. The UAE has always worked to dismantle barriers that create tension between the genders. We have a great opportunity to uncover new paths that we may walk on together”.

Shaikha Manal also lauded the endless efforts of Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak. She said that our greatest teacher and pioneer is the mother of our nation, wife of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. She worked alongside her husband and helped him shoulder the heavy responsibilities of building our nation.

“Toward Gender Balance in Governments” discussed number of important issues through three discussion panels. The session highlighted the significant role of Emirati women in developing the country and leadership’s approach in empowering women and engaging her in all aspects, including UAE’s international competitiveness. The session further discussed the balance between home and work, the overwhelming social and cultural patterns and the legislations related to achieving balance between genders.