Women's rights in the UAE
Women in the UAE enjoy the same constitutional rights as men. They have access to education, jobs, social and health benefits and holding government offices.
The UAE was ranked 7th globally and 1st regionally in 2024 Gender Inequality Index of UN Development Programme, marking a significant advancement of 9 positions from 18th place in 2020.
The UAE has set special policies, laws and initiatives to protect women and promote gender equality in all aspects of the society. The initiatives include:
- mandatory presence of a woman in the board of directors in all government entities and corporations.
- establishing the UAE Gender Balance Council.
- launching the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in the UAE for the years 2023-2031.
- launching 'Mother of the Nation 50:50 Vision' to empower Emirati women for next 50 years.
- launching the UAE’s Gender Balance Index derived from the highest national and global benchmarks, including the UAE Cabinet’s Key Performance Indicators and the United Nations Development Programme’s Gender Inequality Index.
- passing laws on equal wages for women and men and protection for working women.
- introducing a gender balance guide at workplace.
- offering social welfare support to Emirati widows, abandoned women and women married to expatriate men who cannot earn a living for reasons beyond their control.
- providing equal and free access to all levels of education and vocational training.
- giving opportunities for socio-economic and political empowerment.
- providing housing to Emirati women.
- providing maternity leave.
Read more on:
- Gender equality in the UAE
- Women in the UAE - Embassy of United Arab Emirates in Washington DC
- UAE women - facts and statistics
- The UAE and Human rights: Promoting women’s rights – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation
- Programmes and projects - General Women's Union.
Updated On :
22 Oct 2025
