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To begin with, the global movement for women’s rights gained momentum in the 19th century, with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 in the U.S., which called for women’s suffrage (right to vote).
Moreover, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) by the United Nations established equal rights for all, including women. Initially, the patriarchal society in the UAE focused women’s rights primarily on family and tribal life.
Later the UAE’s formation, under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE started promoting women’s rights. Currently, the UAE is one of the top countries in the region for women’s rights.
Hence, women hold 50% of the seats in the Federal National Council, lead key government ministries, and make up 70% of university graduates.
The UAE’s significant investments in girls’ education have enabled more women to pursue careers in STEM and access quality education.
Moreover, progress in women’s right in UAE surged rapidly by female literacy rates over the years, including higher education.
Government policies promoting women’s economic empowerment and gender-neutral workplaces are driving a rise in women joining the workforce.
Additionally, both public and private sectors have implemented initiatives to support women in leadership roles.
In addition, the country has made progress by motivating women in political engagement, which has increased their representation in decision-making bodies and legislative seats.
Moreover, legal reforms and government initiatives have facilitated greater involvement of women in political processes, which leads to a more inclusive political landscape.
Legal women rights in UAE have the right to equal pay for equal work, according to the 2020 amendment to the UAE Labor Law.
Additionally, pregnant women have the right to 60 days of maternity leave, and protections exist against workplace discrimination and harassment.
Furthermore, women rights in UAE are entitled to give their consent before getting married. However, they may also start divorce proceedings, especially in situations involving abuse, abandonment, or damage.
Meanwhile, changes permitted in 2021 for non-Muslim women to follow the legal frameworks of their own countries in family law cases.
In addition, women are able to handle enterprises, own real estate, and achieve financial independence.
Moreover, their equal rights to own and optimize organizations are guaranteed by law, which is an initiative towards economic empowerment.
The UAE has set up policies to safeguard women against domestic abuse, such as offering shelter and offering legal options.
In addition women’s right in UAE to outlining the consequences of violence against women, the 2019 Family Protection Policy provides legal help for victims of abuse.
Since 2019, the UAE has implemented a gender balance rule, requiring that at least 50% of the Federal National Council be composed of women.
Therefore, women are also motivated to take leadership roles in government and business.
Women’s right in UAE and their participation in society has significantly boosted in recent years in various sectors :
Women in UAE make up around 46% of the workforce, handling positions in both the private and public sectors. In addition, women’ right in UAE are increasingly visible in leadership roles, especially in business, technology, and government sectors.
In terms of women’s right in UAE, the country has one of the highest rates of female education participation in the region. Moreover, women share more than 70% of university graduates, and a huge number are pursuing advanced degrees and research opportunities.
Women in UAE lead around 10% of the country’s private-sector businesses, often running successful startups or multinational enterprises. Moreover, the UAE government provides various support programs planned at boosting female entrepreneurship, for example access to funding and networking opportunities.
In 2019, women comprised 50% of the members of the Federal National Council (FNC), a record for the Arab world. In order to show their influence in national decision-making, women also hold important cabinet posts as ministers, such as the Minister of State for International Cooperation and Youth Affairs.
A large number of women engage in volunteer work and community development initiatives in UAE. Women’s right in UAE also help in contributions to social welfare, healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability through public programs, nonprofit organizations, and private endeavors.
Moreover in cultural sectors, women are prominent as artists, filmmakers, authors, and media personalities in UAE. Additionally, they play an active role in shaping the country’s media landscape and cultural identity, advocating for progressive social changes while respecting UAE’s traditions.
Women’s right in UAE still face a number of obstacles despite enormous progress. Because traditional gender roles frequently set larger expectations on women to prioritize family over employment, cultural and social conventions may limit their options.
Even though equal pay is required by law, there is still a gender pay inequality, especially in the private sector. Moreover, the lack of family-friendly regulations and childcare choices makes it difficult to achieve work-life balance. Despite initiatives to improve female involvement in STEM, more funding is required.
Despite legal protections against it, social stigmas discourage many victims of gender-based violence from coming forward. In addition, compared to the public sector, women hold less leadership roles in the private sector.
On the other hand, the UAE has a bright future for women’s rights and participation, provided that ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality continue.
Moreover, the UAE government is actively working to raise the number of women in the workforce, especially in leadership roles and fields like finance and technology.
Furthermore, the country is making efforts to boost workplace flexibility and address the gender pay gap, including extending maternity and paternity leave, are also anticipated to gain momentum.
In summary, the country has made remarkable achievements toward expanding women’s right in UAE.
Moreover, the involvement shows a dedication towards gender equality in the areas of work, education, and political representation.
In addition, women’s right in UAE have been reinforced by government initiatives and legislative changes in various sectors, like equal pay, property ownership, and safety from assault.
However, hurdles still exist, such as societal conventions that could restrict women’s options and disparities in work-life balance and gender pay parity.
Concerns that still need to be addressed are the underrepresentation of women in several fields and the effect that social stigmas have on the reporting of gender-based violence.