Launched in 2023, the National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women - 2031 aims to facilitate equitable and comprehensive participation of women in all sectors and enhance the quality of life in the society. It seeks to establish a framework with references and guidance, for decision-makers in the federal and local government entities, the private sector and the civil society to promote the efforts of women's empowerment and leadership in the UAE.

Objectives of the policy

1. Provide a general framework, reference, and guidance for decision-makers to ensure advancing women's empowerment efforts in the UAE.
2. Ensure women’s equitable and comprehensive participation in all sectors, to further enhance community members’ quality of life.

Priorities and key components

1. Build strong, cohesive, and supportive families to advance women’s role in society.
   • Develop programs to enhance family cohesion and support women’s role in the family.
   • Ensure the availability of and accessibility to women's support networks in the community to address life challenges and requirements effectively.
   • Provide reliable, secure, and user-friendly services that respond to the essential needs of women and their families, while respecting their privacy.
   • Support parents of People of Determination by designing educational curricula and experiences that are adequate to their roles and responsibilities.
   • Promote women's mental well-being amidst social variants, facilitate access to psychological assistance, counseling, and rehabilitation services.
   • Ensure the continuity, development and provision of preventive and therapeutic health programs tailored to women’s needs.
   • Establish public and private sports facilities that align with women's sporting interests, whilst respecting their needs and privacy.
   • Establish new specialized centers to assist abused women and children, and expand the range of services offered by the existing centers.

    

2. Integrate women into the workforce and future sectors in a balanced manner taking in consideration their personal lives and work responsibilities.
   • Develop and implement systems, standards and practices that define an optimal work environment for women
   • Empower women to set up innovative projects and businesses within emerging sectors, ensuring the sustainability of their initiatives, and addressing the challenges they may encounter.
   • Foster a culture that believes in women's capabilities, and enables them to play their political and economic roles.

    

3. Develop women’s capabilities and enhance their future skills.
   • Develop entrepreneurship skills for girls, housewives, and female workers.
   • Provide continuing education, future skills, and vocational and technical training to women.
   • Encourage and support the development of qualifications and academic programs for trade and digital technologies targeting women.
   • Develop and provide programs on various life skills supporting women and enhancing their quality of life.

    

4. Develop a supportive and enabling legislative and regulatory environment to enhance women’s quality of life.
   • Design new laws and legislation, and update existing ones, to anticipate potential scenarios related to discrimination against women.
   • Ensure the enforcement of dedicated laws and regulations safeguarding women from violence, assault, and discrimination in the workplace and the household.
   • Develop further federal and local legislation to support women's access to social benefits.

    

5. Promote institutional work and partnerships at both national and international levels.

• Ensure the availability of national gender-disaggregated data and share it with relevant authorities to support decision-making.
• Support the establishment of an integrated statistical framework for women and conduct studies for knowledge-based public policies and programs.
• Strengthen relationships and partnerships with regional organizations focused on women's empowerment and gender balance.
• Ensure the adoption of a participatory approach when collaborating with the private sector and civil society to advance the implementation of the UAE’s women-supportive agenda.
• Foster the integration of roles within public sector entities charged with women's affairs and their governance.

Source: UAE Legislation