From Shaikha Lubna Al-Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance and developer of the cargo system at Dubai airport, to pilot Mariam Al-Mansouri, who directed a mission against ISIS last year, Emirati women have been empowering each other, breaking barriers and accelerating the UAE's development, and these facts prove it.
The United Arab Emirates celebrated the second-ever annual Emirati women’s day on Sunday.
The tribute was first introduced in 2015 to honor women serving in the nation’s military. It coincides with anniversary of the General Women’s Union, dedicated to empowering Emirati women and founded in 1975 .
Founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had put women at the center of his plan to develop the nation. “The woman is half of the society, any country which pursues development should not leave her in poverty or illiteracy. I am on the woman’s side,” he said.
The late Sheikh's plan is on the right track, needless to say.
1. Two-thirds of governmental employees are female
In 2015, 30% of UAE's governmental decision-making positions were held by women, the highest in the Arab world.
2. The first Arab woman to ever chair a national assembly...yup, you guessed it. She's Emirati
Dr. Amal Al-Qubaisi became the first Arab woman to head a national assembly when she was appointed President of the Federal National Council.
3. 43% of employed females are university graduates
As opposed to 23.7% for males, according to Al-Bawaba .
Female Emirati high-school graduates are much more likely to pursue further education than males.
4. Illiteracy among Emirati women dropped by a whopping 82.5% since 1970
According to WhatsOn, the rate was at 89.8 in 1970, compared with the 7.3% recorded last year.
5. Emirati women excel in traditionally male-dominated fields
They're not afraid to take on the male-dominated fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. According to International Business Times, a study revealed that 70% of the surveyed female Emirati students are enrolled STEM-related courses.
Better yet, president of the Emirates Scientists Council is a woman, 29-year-old Sara Al-Ameri
6. Women’s labor participation rose by 30.6% in 40 years
Women occupy some of the highest leadership ranks in the nation.
7. The UAE has had a 58% increase in female entrepreneurs...in just 4 years.
The nation currently has around 20,000 female entrepreneurs, marking a 58% increase since 2012, according to WhatsOn.
Emirati women have started all kinds of businesses, from online stores to large-scale companies.
8. The UAE was the first in the region to make female representation in all governmental boards mandatory
Soon, it will also become the first in the region to found a UN Women Liaison Office, an initiative committed to advocating for gender equality.