Sheikha Fatima launches National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in UAE for 2023-2031

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (The Mother of the Nation) has launched the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in the UAE for 2023-2031, on the occasion of the Emirati Women’s Day 2023, under the theme of “We Collaborate for Tomorrow”.

According to the state news agency, WAM, this strategy comes in line with Sheikha Fatima’s vision to achieve fair and comprehensive women’s participation in all fields, enhance the quality of life in society, provide a general framework, reference and guidance for decision makers in federal and local government institutions, as well as the private sector and civil society.

Emirati Women’s Day: August 28

Sheikha Fatima, who is also the 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), said, “Emirati women have assumed a unique and prestigious position in all sectors of society, and the UAE has become a role model in the field of human development and indicators of global competitiveness, especially indicators of bridging the gender gap, which enabled the UAE, thanks to women empowerment policies, to rank first among Arab countries and 68th globally in global competitiveness indicators in 2022.”

The National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women includes three main guides: establishing interdependent, cohesive and supportive families to enhance the role of women in society; Integration of women in the labour market and future sectors; and Developing capacities and enhancing future skills of women.

The strategy will develop the legislative and regulatory environment that supports and enables women’s quality of life, and strengthening institutional work and partnerships at the national and international levels.

The General Women’s Union, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, and the General Secretariat of the Executive Councils in each emirate or their representative, will drive the implementation of the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women, while the supporting partners include all ministries, federal, local and private agencies and institutions, as well as relevant civil society organisations.

The relevant institutions are tasked with developing operational plans every three years and approve them as part of their strategic plans.

The plans and programmes developed are to be approved by the Cabinet and Executive Councils in each emirate.

The General Women’s Union is to hold periodic meetings with the concerned institutions to follow up and evaluate the progress made in implementing the plans, and propose amendments if necessary to ensure the achievement of the desired goals.