Noura Al Suwaidi, General Manager of the General Women's Union, firmly stated the United Arab Emirates' commitment to women's empowerment since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action back in 1995. This initiative has translated recommendations from global dialogues to practical policies, enabling women to take on leadership roles and play significant parts in decision-making. This was highlighted during the session titled "Achieving Beijing Promises to Enhance Women's Role in Leadership," part of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women held from March 10 to March 21, 2025, in New York City.
The session was not only organized by the Arab Republic of Egypt but also saw the involvement of various international entities, including the UAE, the United Nations Women’s Organization, and participant nations like Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Al Suwaidi noted how Emirati women have risen to become fundamental players across government, private sectors, and diplomatic arenas.
During this pivotal session, several initiatives aimed at bolstering women's involvement were presented. For example, the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Program for Women aims to solidify a unified Arab vision to support women and expand partnerships among business leaders across the Arab world. This program, adopted at the 2023 Leaders Summit, emphasizes the UAE's dedicated efforts to empower women not just locally but on international fronts.
Remarkably, women now occupy 50% of the seats on the UAE's Federal National Council, placing the country at the forefront of gender representation globally. Women's representation within the UAE cabinet stands at 26%, with female leaders spearheading key areas like international cooperation, advanced sciences, and education.
On the economic front, women contribute over 12% of board members within publicly listed companies. Al Suwaidi emphasized how women's empowerment stretches beyond traditional roles, with significant representation now found within the fields of digital economy and innovative technologies, showcasing the UAE’s drive to promote female participation within areas such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy.
Reflecting the UAE’s expansive efforts, Al Suwaidi stressed the nation's initiatives extend to the world, introducing programs like the Arab Women’s Economic Empowerment Target project. This aims to unify Arab nations to bolster women's entrepreneurship, stability, and economic growth.
Switching gears, the emphasis on ethics and social responsibility mirrors the sentiments echoed across social media channels within the UAE. The hashtag #Our_Ethics_Are_Zayed's_Ethics has recently surged on the X platform, emphasizing the need to adhere to values reflecting the UAE's policy anchored on respect and tolerance. This trending topic amassed over 4 million views and saw users passionately advocating for the foundational ethics of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE’s founding father.
Commentators have expressed admiration citing how Sheikh Zayed wasn’t merely a leader but rather exemplifies humanity and generosity, with insights from Dr. Faisal Al-Dosari reminding audiences of his legacy. Posts emphasized how the collective character of Emiratis is intertwined with the ethics instilled by Sheikh Zayed.
Messages encourage national citizens and residents alike to embody these values, particularly emphasizing respect and kindness within the realms of social media interactions. Abdullah Al-Hamadi remarked, “The ethics of our founding father will remain steadfast, guiding UAE citizens and residents alike, especially on platforms where positive engagement and respect are key.”
With calls for moderateness existing throughout the platform, users are reminded of their responsibility to uphold these ethical standards through constructive engagement and communication practices. Commentators also echoed support for the National Media Office's recent message advocating for positive engagement models related to the UAE's online manners.
Overall, the UAE's powerful strides toward women's empowerment align with its ethos guided by the teachings of Sheikh Zayed. With community focuses on ethical representation and values espousing respect and integrity, the nation's engagements spotlight its commitment to fostering inclusive relationships both within and beyond its borders.