Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, recently marked International Women’s Day by acknowledging the role of women in the UAE and around the world.
He congratulated women for their remarkable achievements in various spheres of life and specifically mentioned the Mother of the Nation, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, and his mother, Sheikha Hind bin Maktoum. He emphasized the vital role that women play in the service of the country and congratulated them on their strength, determination, and achievements.
Sheikh Hamdan noted the shift in focus of women towards pursuing higher education and their careers. Women have outpaced men in terms of obtaining college degrees, and the average age of women and men getting married has increased. Women are more likely to outlive their male counterparts by several years and are investing more in healthcare, education, and lifestyle.
He discussed the difference between equity and equality and emphasized the importance of creating a level playing field for women across the world. Sheikh Hamdan noted that women need more leadership roles, representation in the boardroom, and key decision-making positions, especially in the healthcare sector where they make up nearly 70% of the global health workforce.
The UAE has been a leader in gender parity in the Arab world, with women occupying key socio-economic and political decision-making roles. They constitute nearly 50% of the Federal National Council and 29% of ministerial positions in the UAE government. The country’s achievements in gender balance have earned it the first rank in the Arab World in 2020 on the Gender Balance Index.
