In 2015, the UAE established a Gender Balance Council (the “Council”), which aimed to reduce the gender gap in employment, enhance the UAE’s position in the global competitiveness reports, and transform the UAE into a landmark for gender equality.
The Council reviews existing legislation and proposes updated policies and programs to promote gender equality in the workplace. It also recommends implementing regulations, resolutions, and international conventions relating to gender equality in employment, to eliminate discrimination against women.
The Council aims to review and follow up on the global competitiveness reports and other international reports, in addition to developing recommendations to narrow the gender gap in the workplace. The Council then proposes gender equality indicators and submits them to the Council of Ministers for adoption and works with local authorities to achieve gender equality in society. It also supports the status of the state globally, as the Government determined the goals at this level.
RECENT CHANGES
The Cabinet Resolution No. 97 of 2025 was recently passed with an aim to reorganize the Council. It establishes the Council as having a legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and the legal means to carry out legal actions in its name.
The headquarters of the Council have been established in the Emirate of Dubai and shall have a President, a Vice President and number of other members to be selected by a Cabinet Resolution.
The Council has been formed with an objective to achieve balance and equal opportunities between the sexes in various public and private sectors in the State, in a manner that supports the participation of both men and women in the sustainable development process and ensures alignment and integration with the national directives of the State in matters relating to the family, motherhood, and society.
To achieve these objectives, the President of the Council has been granted several powers, including but not limited to the following:
• Proposing general policies and strategic decisions of the Council to be approved by the Cabinet,
• Forming permanent and temporary committees and working groups, and specifying their tasks and working mechanisms,
• Monitoring the Council’s achievements and the results of the implementation of approved programs, initiatives, and policies, issuing directives thereon, and submitting periodic reports to the Cabinet,
• Issuing the necessary decisions to ensure the smooth functioning of the Council.
CONCLUSION
The Gender Balance Council, among other things, shall also enhance integration and coordination between federal entities and other concerned authorities for enabling and supportive environment for achieving gender balance. This will ensure that the Council will consolidate the State’s position and competitiveness as a global role model in the field of gender balance.
For more information, you may contact:
Thomas Paoletti
Francesca Romana Valeri
Fauzia Khan
