The UAE delegation at the Brics Ministerial Meeting on Women’s Affairs in St. Petersburg, Russia, called for global collaboration to advance gender balance. The meeting, themed “Women, Governance, and Leadership”, provided a platform for Brics nations to exchange experiences and best practices in women’s empowerment. Member countries also explored opportunities for cooperation in overcoming challenges and driving inclusive economic and social progress. The UAE delegation highlighted the country’s achievements in advancing women’s leadership, including the high representation of women in the government and private sector, as well as gender balance integrated into sustainable development strategies.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, led the UAE delegation at the meeting and emphasized the major strides the UAE has made in advancing women’s role in leadership and governance. She highlighted that women hold almost one-third of ministerial positions, over 50% of seats in the Federal National Council, and significant roles in the private sector. Additionally, she mentioned that the majority of university and STEM graduates in the UAE are women, showcasing the country’s commitment to inclusive governance. The delegation also shared the UAE’s efforts to closely integrate gender balance into its sustainable development strategies, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration in promoting gender equality.
Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reiterated the UAE’s commitment to global collaboration in promoting gender balance across all sectors. She highlighted that gender equality is a core pillar of the UAE’s national vision and an integral part of its development strategy, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. She emphasized the UAE’s deep-rooted dedication to gender balance inspired by the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak “Mother of the Nation,” Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).
The UAE’s commitment to gender balance extends beyond government and into various sectors of society, with initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting gender equality. The country’s focus on inclusive governance and leadership has resulted in significant progress in advancing women’s roles in decision-making positions. The integration of gender balance into sustainable development strategies demonstrates the UAE’s dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all its citizens. By highlighting these achievements at international forums like the Brics Ministerial Meeting on Women’s Affairs, the UAE is not only promoting its own successes but also advocating for global collaboration in advancing gender equality worldwide.
The UAE’s efforts to promote gender balance are rooted in a long-standing commitment to equality and empowerment, inspired by the visionary leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. By integrating gender balance into its sustainable development strategies, the UAE is setting an example for other nations to follow. The country’s achievements in advancing women’s leadership and governance demonstrate the positive impact of inclusive policies and initiatives. Through global collaboration and exchange of best practices, the UAE is working towards creating a more equitable and diverse society that values the contributions of all its citizens, regardless of gender.
In conclusion, the UAE’s participation in the Brics Ministerial Meeting on Women’s Affairs in St. Petersburg, Russia, underscores its commitment to advancing gender equality and promoting global collaboration in this important area. The delegation’s emphasis on the country’s achievements in advancing women’s leadership and governance, as well as its efforts to integrate gender balance into sustainable development strategies, showcases the UAE’s dedication to creating a more inclusive society for all. By highlighting these successes and advocating for cooperation among Brics nations and beyond, the UAE is playing a crucial role in driving progress towards gender equality on a global scale. It is through such collaborative efforts and shared experiences that meaningful change can be achieved, paving the way for a more equal and empowered future for women worldwide.
