The UAE has called upon UN Member States to protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of women around the world.
Speaking at the Fourth World Conference on Women, UAE minister of community development Hessa Essa Buhumaid called for all UN nations to end discrimination.
“At this important moment, we must reflect on the achievements that have been made, as well as the existing gaps and challenges, such as discrimination and violence against women and girls,” said Buhumaid.
“Since the founding of our nation, the United Arab Emirates has believed that the full participation of women as equal partners is critical for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“We must all work together to support and empower every woman and every girl to ensure their effective participation in society and the world.”
The UAE has passed a new law ensuring equal pay for men and women in the private sector, following on from landmark legislation that was approved by the UAE Cabinet in 2018.
In addition, the UAE has risen 23 places in the United Nations Development Programme’s Gender Inequality Index and is ranked first in the Arab world and 26th globally.
The UAE Gender Balance Council was established in 2015 and set the target of ranking among the world’s top 25 countries by 2021.
Women also account for 50 per cent of the seats in the UAE’s parliamentary body the Federal National Council and 80 per cent of the scientists that participated in the Emirates Mars Mission.
