Since its founding in 1971, the U.A.E has seen great progress in the area of women’s empowerment.
The U.A.E. has passed critical legislation that grants women in the U.A.E. the following:
- Equal rights as men
- Paid maternity leave for a minimum of 45 days
- Equal pay for similar work
- At least one woman required on the board of every company and government agency
- 50% of the U.A.E.’s Federal National Council seats
Notably, women make up 30% of the U.A.E. Cabinet, exceeding the global average. Female leaders in the public sector include the H.E. Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education; H.E. Mariam Almheiri, Head of International Affairs in the Presidential Court; H.E. Reem Al Hashimi, U.A.E. Minister of State for International Cooperation; H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui, U.A.E. Minister of Community Empowerment; and H.E. Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the U.A.E. Foreign Ministry. In the private sector, CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank and Vice Co-Chair of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, Hana Rostamani, exemplifies female leadership in the U.A.E.
The Business Council supports female empowerment in the U.A.E. by hosting discussions on inclusion and diversity in the workplace as well as supporting the U.S. Mission’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Summit. The Business Council is also proud to recognize pioneering U.S. and U.A.E. business leaders on International Women’s Day and Emirati Women’s Day respectively.
Key Institutions