At the 11th Women’s Forum Global Meeting in Deauville, Shamsa Saleh, the CEO of the Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and General Coordinator of the UAE Gender Balance Council, spoke about how the women of the UAE have set a precedent of empowerment for the region.

She spoke at the session titled “UAE Gender Balance Council: A new reference point” at the forum which will conclude today.

The UAE Gender Balance Council – established earlier this year by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, – is responsible for the development of policies designed to empower Emirati women and enhance their role in the nation. The UAE is currently the only country in the world with a government entity dedicated entirely for this purpose. It is currently chaired by Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“Gender equality is achieved when people are able to access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities, regardless of whether they are a woman or a man. So how are we making a dream for many nations and societies a reality in the UAE? By building forward thinking and strong policies that support this idea,” Saleh said on Thursday.

In her remarks, Saleh noted that women hold 66 per cent of all public sector jobs and 30 per cent of all decision-making positions within the government sector, and that women make up 71 per cent of Emirati graduates. Details