Positioning Emirati women as inspiring role models for women globally

The "Mother of the Nation’s 50:50 Vision" is a new chapter of the unwavering national commitment to empowering Emirati women. The vision is anchored on a proud legacy spanning over fifty years of generous giving and outstanding achievements, under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).

The start of the ambitious journey dates back to the establishment of the General Women's Union in 1975, which undertook the role of consolidating women’s role in the UAE as partners in development, fundamental pillars in building society, and soft and effective representatives of the country globally. 

"Mother of the Nation’s 50:50 Vision" is not only a strategic framework; it is also a vibrant example of Her Highness Mother of the Nation’s mindset leading her efforts towards empowering Emirati women, positioning them as a key catalyst in the transformations unfolding in the UAE and the world. 

The newly announced vision highlights the national ambition for the UAE’s women to become global role models of influence and inspiration. It advocates for a development beyond borders, building partnerships, engaging in actions, and fostering innovation, to ensure Emirati women are a core component of the future. It is a steady, confident walk toward the 2075 milestone, all in line with the aspirations of the UAE Centennial 2071.

The vision is anchored on three key objectives: 

• The UAE is among the top countries in advancing women's quality of life
• The UAE is a global role model for women's empowerment across all future-oriented sectors. 
• The UAE is among the world's top governments in shaping the future of women.

Key Pillars:

• Family and national identity.
• Governance and strategies.
• International developmental partnerships.

Objectives and sub-objectives:

The UAE is among the top countries advancing women's quality of life.

• A comprehensive and sustainable good quality of life for women.

• A safe and dignified life across all stages of women's lifetime, including support programmes for people of determination and senior Emirati women.
• Proactive predictive analyses to improve women's quality of life.

• A flexible national ecosystem for good governance of women’s affairs.

• Strategic integration to ensure sustainable empowerment and integration.
• A robust system monitoring the progress in women's affairs.

• Equal Opportunities

• Advancing equal opportunities for women in education, employment, and the economy, ensuring their empowerment across all sectors.
• Achieving a work-life balance for women.

The UAE is a global role model for women's empowerment across all future-oriented sectors. 

• Women-led innovation
• National sectoral laboratories to forecast women's futures, act as agile accelerators to address future challenges and empower women in vital sectors.

• Female leaders in future-oriented sectors

• Empowering women in technology and artificial intelligence
• Advancing women's participation in the climate and energy sectors.
• Orienting girls' education toward future-focused disciplines.

• High-level international female representation for the UAE.

• Emirati female leaders in international positions.
• Consolidating women's presence in global decision-making positions
• International negotiations with the participation of Emirati women.

• International women's platforms based in the UAE

• International forums and conferences led by Emirati women.
• International awards to support women development initiatives and projects.

The UAE is among world's top governments in shaping the future of women.

• Pioneering women affairs policies 

• Strengthening the UAE's role in shaping the global women's agenda.
• Concluding agreements that reflect the UAE's futuristic vision for women.

• International partnerships to empower women

• Qualitative alliances that support women's empowerment globally
• Bilateral projects that serve women and girls.

• Women and international decision-making

• Formulating international indicators that reflect the actual status of women.
• Ensuring the representation of Emirati women in the UN organizations.

• Globally influential Emirati women

• International awards based in the UAE for women.
• Participation of Emirati women in UN campaigns.

Based on this vision, the General Women's Union is tasked with leading the efforts to coordinate and integrate women's policies and strategies, in addition to monitoring their implementation in cooperation with federal and local government agencies, the private sector, and civil society institutions.

It is also tasked with ensuring that the vision's goals are achieved and the UAE's international commitments related to women's empowerment are fulfilled.

The General Women's Union will remain a core engine for Emirati women's empowerment journey, ensuring the sustainability of their role as active partners in development and leading global role models until the year 2075 and beyond.