A survey published earlier this week studied the status of women in the workplace around the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and its results are quite telling.
As part of the study, which was conducted by online job portal Bayt.com and global online market research company, YouGov, 4,000 women from around the region were polled regarding their perception of gender equality in the workplace.
Among other significant findings, the survey revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) leads the MENA region when it comes to workplace equality.
UAE tops the region in gender equality in the job market
According to the survey, the UAE is "the number one country when it comes to how easy it is for female job seekers to find work."
The study found that more than 8 in 10 respondents believe that women in the UAE have reached the same level of workplace equality found in the West.
Additionally, over 3 in 4 women in the country believe that job opportunities are offered regardless of gender and are mainly based on experience and qualifications.
This figure surpasses the regional average and puts the UAE at the very top when it comes to workplace equality in the region.
The study also revealed that the percentage of mixed-gender workplaces in the country stands at 84%, which is 10% higher than the regional average.
However, the study noted that women in the UAE still perceive they are paid less than their male counterparts.
Female employees in the UAE believe labor laws are fair to them
When asked about labor laws, 89% of the respondents in the UAE stated they have some familiarity with the country's laws.
Of those who are familiar with labor laws, 77% stated they believe the laws are fair to women to some extent. Meanwhile, 8% said they are not fair, while 15% did not provide an answer.
"Organizations in the region are making excellent strides towards achieving total gender balance"
Overall, most of the respondents from across the region said they are treated equally with their male colleagues. However, around a third consider that males are given "preferential treatment over females."
Meanwhile, when it comes to salary, 46% perceive they are at par with their male counterparts, while 34% feel they get paid less.
"It is a given that women play a vital role in the workplace today, and we are glad to see that in the MENA region, organizations are doing much more to accommodate women and promote workplace equality," Forbes quotes Rania Nseir, director of business development at Bayt.com, as saying.
"The results from this year’s ‘Working Women’ survey indicate that organizations in the region are making excellent strides towards achieving total gender balance, even since last year."
Women's empowerment in the UAE
The findings come as no surprise, as the UAE has been championing gender equality as of late.
Founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, had actually 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 once said.
In 2015, 30% of UAE's governmental decision-making positions were held by women, the highest in the Arab world.
The first Arab woman to ever chair a national assembly is the UAE is Dr. Amal Al-Qubaisi, who was appointed as President of the Federal National Council in 2015.
Additionally, women’s labor participation in the country has increased by around 30.6% in 40 years.
Not to mention the fact that the UAE leads the region with the most powerful Arab businesswomen, according to Forbes.