Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE gender equality Cabinet has approved a new resolution to restructure the UAE Gender Balance Council. This move reflects the nation’s strong dedication to fostering inclusive participation in the country’s development, ensuring equal opportunities for all, and strengthening its global reputation as a leading example in gender balance.
Commitment to Gender Equality
The reorganisation of the Council is part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and create an environment where all individuals, regardless of gender, can contribute effectively to national progress. The UAE continues to be recognised for its proactive stance in this area. In March 2024, the country was ranked seventh globally on the Gender Inequality Index, a key component of the UN’s Human Development Report, in recognition of its initiatives to support gender equality.
New Leadership and Council Members
The Cabinet’s resolution includes the appointment of new leadership and members to the UAE Gender Balance Council. The council will now be chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Its members include:
- Mona Ghanem Al Marri as Vice President
- Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance
- Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy
- Omar Obaid Mohammed Al Hassan Al Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Huda Al Hashimi, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs
- Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union
- Reem Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood
- Faisal Saeed bin Butti Al Muhairi, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources
- Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre
- Khalid Abdulrahim Al Harmoodi, Assistant Secretary General for Cabinet Affairs Support
- Hessa Abdulrahman Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Community Development
- Ahmed Yousef Al Nasser, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Policies at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Path to Gender Equality
Statements from Leadership
Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to intensifying its efforts to achieve gender equality. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Council and both government and private sector entities in fulfilling its goals.
She praised the exceptional achievements of Emirati women in various fields, especially in science and life sciences, noting their competence and the leadership’s trust in their capabilities. Her Highness highlighted the significant role women play in the UAE’s development and international competitiveness, stating that the country continues to offer opportunities that empower women to build on this success and represent the UAE gender equality on global platforms. She also expressed her gratitude to the previous Council members for their valuable contributions, which helped elevate the UAE’s global competitiveness in gender balance.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, the Council’s Vice President, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the UAE gender equality dedication to gender equality through progressive legislation and innovative policy-making. She noted that such forward-thinking measures have played a crucial role in improving the country’s standing in global competitiveness rankings.
A Broader Strategy for Inclusive Growth
The restructuring of the UAE Gender Balance Council comes as part of a broader strategy to ensure gender-inclusive development, with an emphasis on empowering women and recognising their pivotal contributions across all sectors. The UAE leadership’s commitment to equality and inclusion continues to set benchmarks regionally and globally.
