Online services for women
The UAE Government provides specific services for the benefit of women. Services range from providing cancer screening to social assistance; from providing taxi booking service to counselling on domestic matters.
- Book a taxi for women - RTA Sharjah
- Helpline service - Dubai Foundation for Women and Children
- Report trafficking against Women and Children - Family Care Authority
- Services for minors, seniors and people of determination - Community Development Authority
- Temporary housing benefit - Community Development Authority
- Cancer screening - Department of Health - Abu Dhabi.
Emirati Women's Day
The UAE observes Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August, the day of the foundation of General Women’s Union. This day hails the efforts of Emirati women who play different roles; from a mother to a pilot, and to a leader in building the nation. All government and private organisations celebrate this day.
Women in politics
The current cabinet consists of 28 ministers; 6 of whom are women.
- Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation
- Her Excellency Shamma bint Sohail Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment
- Her Excellency Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education
- Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment
- Her Excellency Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family
- Her Excellency Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Minister of State and Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet.
As per World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 (PDF, 2 MB), the UAE is the regional leader in the sub-index with a political parity score of 37.2 per cent.
Read more facts related to the women in the UAE.
Housing
Ministry of Community Empowerment provides housing allowance to women. Read about it under social welfare programmes. In addition, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure provides housing aid. Read about it under housing authorities and programmes.
Health
The UAE launched the National Policy for Improving Women’s Health to promote women's health by providing high quality and efficient health services whether curative, preventive or rehabilitative. It aims to ensure providing the highest healthcare services. In addition, the UAE provides improved services in women's reproductive and sexual healthcare.
Education
Education for Emiratis is free in public schools, colleges and universities. The UAE government focuses on elimination of gender disparities in education and ensures equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including women and people of determination (those with disabilities). The UAE's Constitution and Federal Law by Decree No. 39 of 2022 concerning Compulsory Education provide that education is compulsory from the primary stage until the end of school education is and free of charge at all stages for citizens in the UAE. The law states that education shall be compulsory for non-citizens until the end of the primary stage.
Aiming to bring the compulsory school-leaving age more in line with many other advanced countries across the world, the UAE Cabinet approved a new law in July 2012. This law makes it compulsory for Emirati children to start schooling at the age of 6 and remain in school until they have completed Grade 12 or reach the age of 18, whichever occurs first.
General Women's Union plays a significant role in the empowerment and advancement of women in the country. It aligns with the government's objectives of improving digital literacy as it includes programs focused on developing modern skills, such as technology use and digital competency, thus benefiting women in the UAE.
The UAE's ‘Women in Cybersecurity’ initiative, also known as the Cyber Pulse Initiative for Women and Families, was launched in collaboration with the General Women's Union (GWU) and Cyber Security Council (CSC). This initiative aims to empower women in the field of cybersecurity and enhance their digital skills.
Read more about education in the UAE.
Socio-economic empowerment
Empowerment of women in the UAE had started in 8 February 1973 when the first women's meeting in the UAE, 'The Renaissance of Abu Dhabi Women Association' was held. The foundation of similar associations began in other emirates. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak envisioned the need to cope with the unitary ideology of her husband, the late Sheikh Zayed who was the Founding Father of the UAE and established General Women's Union in 1975 joining all women associations in the UAE.
Since then, the UAE has implemented a number of initiatives for the economic empowerment of women in the UAE. In December 2012, the Government issued a decision on the mandatory membership of Emirati women in the Boards of Directors of federal bodies, companies and institutions.
Women in the workforce
Emirati women make up 66 percent of the public sector workers. About 75 percent of positions in education and health sectors are occupied by women. 23,000 Emirati businesswomen run projects worth over AED50 billion, and occupy 15 per cent of the positions in the boards of chambers of commerce and industry nationwide. Source: Dubai Women's Establishment
National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women - 2031
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.
Related links
- Women in Sustainability - (PDF, 16.2 MB)
-
Women Play a Leading Role in Sustainability - Emirates Nature.
Transport and parking facilities
In Abu Dhabi and Al Ain cities, there are pink taxis driven by women to carry women and children younger than 10 years old. You can call on 600-535-353 to book a taxi in Abu Dhabi.
In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, front seats on the public buses are reserved for women.
In the emirate of Dubai, there are families and ladies taxi service offered by women. You can book a taxi in Dubai by calling on 04-2080808.
In Dubai, front seats on the public buses are reserved for women. Some cabins on the public metro and trams are reserved for women.
In Sharjah too, special taxis for women are available. In Sharjah, you can book a taxi by calling 600525252 or book online.
For more information, contact the local transport authorities:
- Department of Municipalities and Transport in the emirate of Abu Dhabi
- Roads and Transport Authority in the emirate of Dubai
- Roads and Transport Authority in the emirate of Sharjah
- Transport Authority in the emirate of Ajman
- RAK Transport Authority in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
Updated on:
29 Jan 2026
Social assistance