UAE Gender Balance Council Strengthens National Dialogue to Shape Gender Balance Strategy 2027-2031
Dubai: The UAE Gender Balance Council recently hosted a national dialogue that convened over 100 representatives from government entities and private-sector signatories to the SDG 5 Pledge. This event aimed to contribute to the formulation of the UAE Gender Balance Strategy for 2027-2031.
During the interactive workshop and discussion sessions, participants engaged in dialogues about national priorities and explored future opportunities to enhance gender balance. Notably, the event welcomed eight new organizations into the SDG 5 Pledge, increasing the total number of participating companies to 88.
This national dialogue is part of the UAE’s collaborative approach to policy development, ensuring that stakeholders are actively involved in shaping future directions that promote sustainable development and bolster the country’s competitiveness on a global scale.
The discussions provided a platform for exchanging insights on key trends influencing the future, such as artificial intelligence, the evolving economy, and the future of work. Participants also focused on national priorities that support economic and social participation, enhance quality of life, and further establish the UAE as a global leader in gender balance.
Key Pillars of the New Strategy
The sessions delved into the core pillars of the forthcoming strategy, which include education, skills and career pathways; family, caregiving, and shared responsibilities; health and wellbeing across the lifecycle; leadership and workplace culture; entrepreneurship and financial inclusion; and the future economy and artificial intelligence.
Participants identified opportunities and challenges related to these pillars, prioritizing practical solutions while examining the roles of key stakeholders in implementing future initiatives. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that the outcomes of the dialogue translate into impactful and sustainable policies, programs, and initiatives.
Growing Private Sector Partnership
The event also marked the addition of eight new organizations to the SDG 5 Pledge, including Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Stellantis, Deloitte, Sanofi, Al Nabooda Automobiles, SAAL, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, and Goumbook. This expansion brings the total number of participating companies to 88, reflecting the growing commitment of the private sector to adopt policies and practices that promote equal opportunities and foster inclusive workplaces.
The participation of national and international organizations operating in the UAE underscores the alignment of private sector initiatives with national priorities.
National Strategy
The development of the Gender Balance Strategy 2027-2031 builds on the UAE’s long-standing commitment to advancing gender balance. Through various policies, legislation, and initiatives, the UAE has made significant strides in expanding opportunities and enhancing women’s participation across sectors. These efforts have solidified the UAE’s position among the world’s leading countries in gender balance.
The new strategy aims to build upon these achievements through innovative solutions that enhance future readiness while supporting sustainable development and quality of life.
H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, commended the UAE’s accomplishments in advancing gender balance. She emphasized that these achievements reflect the leadership’s vision of a development model focused on investing in human potential and empowering all members of society as partners in national progress.
H.H. Sheikha Manal stated that gender balance is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development in the UAE and a key driver of national competitiveness and quality of life. The Gender Balance Strategy 2027-2031 represents a significant milestone in advancing innovative policies and solutions that strengthen future readiness and reinforce the UAE’s standing as a global model for gender balance.
Joining Forces
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, highlighted that the UAE has established a robust foundation for gender balance through progressive legislation and enhanced participation in decision-making. She noted that these efforts have embedded gender balance as an institutional approach across various sectors.
Al Marri remarked that the next phase will focus on driving tangible impacts in workplaces, supporting participation, career progression, and leadership, while also preparing institutions for the future economy. She emphasized that gender balance is not merely a peripheral issue but a fundamental pillar for building stronger institutions and a more competitive economy.
Quality of Life
Mouza Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, affirmed that the new strategy adopts an integrated approach that links economic and social development with quality of life. It aims to enhance the UAE’s readiness for future transformations.
The strategy emphasizes interconnected priorities, including education, skills and career pathways; family, caregiving, and shared responsibilities; health and wellbeing across the lifecycle; leadership and workplace culture; entrepreneurship and financial inclusion; and the future economy and artificial intelligence.
Al Suwaidi noted that supportive workplace environments are crucial for strengthening family stability and enabling individuals to balance their professional and family responsibilities, thereby positively impacting quality of life and long-term social sustainability.
Additionally, the UAE Gender Balance Council announced the opening of nominations for the Family-Friendly Workplace Award 2026, launched by H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as part of the Year of Community 2026 initiatives. This award is exclusively available to organizations that are signatories to the SDG 5 Pledge and recognizes companies that have effectively implemented policies and practices supporting families and promoting work-life balance.
The outcomes of the dialogue, along with the increasing number of organizations joining the initiative, reflect a collective commitment to advancing policies and practices that support gender balance and enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness.
Source: www.emirates247.com
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Published on 2026-06-23 22:08:00 • By the Editorial Desk
