Dubai
A new decree has been issued to establish the Board of Directors of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE).
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai issued Decree No. 7 of 2018.
Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, expressed her gratitude to Shaikh Mohammad for the continuous encouragement he has extended to Emirati women to participate in all sectors. She also referred to Shaikh Mohammad’s support for creating work environments that promote women’s equal participation in the development process.
“Since the establishment of the UAE, our leadership has played a crucial role in fostering the success of Emirati women, locally, regionally and globally, across sectors. Today, due to the leadership’s vision, the UAE has become a role model for the empowerment of women, and leads many global competitiveness indicators in gender balance,” said Shaikha Manal.
She referred to the Social Progress Index, in which the UAE is ranked first in the world both for treating women with respect and gender equality in education.
“These achievements were accomplished due to the solid foundations laid by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the UAE, who promoted the vital role of Emirati women in our society and encouraged their participation in all fields,” added Shaikha Manal.
She further highlighted that the leadership’s support has also helped enhance the legislative framework necessary for furthering gender balance. Recently, the UAE Cabinet approved the first legislation of its kind in the region for equal wages and salaries, reflecting the equal rights that men and women enjoy under the UAE’s constitution.
Board of Directors
In accordance with Decree No. 7 of 2018 issued by Shaikh Mohammad, Dubai Women Establishment’s new Board of Directors, chaired by Mona Al Merri, will include Hala Yousuf Badri, Vice-President, and members, Huda Eisa Bu Humaid, Khowla Rashid Al Muhairi, Huda Al Sayed Mohammad Al Hashemi, Muna Darwish Bu Samra, Fahima Abdul Razzaq Al Bastaki, Jehad Abdul Razzaq Kazim and Aljoud Ahmad Lootah. The decree is effective from the date of its issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette.
Shaikha Manal praised the diverse expertise of the board members across fields including economics, business, energy, law, media, strategic communication and art, which will enrich the work of the establishment and help achieve the goals of DWE’s strategic plan for 2017-2021. The strategic plan was developed in line with the objectives of the Dubai Plan 2021 and UAE Vision 2021, which include enhancing female participation, particularly in the economic sector.
The DWE was formed as a Dubai Government entity in 2006 under Law No. (24) issued by Shaikh Mohammad, with the aim of creating an entity specialised in championing women to drive the socio-economic future of Dubai by influencing policies, sharing knowledge and leading initiatives. Through its ongoing work, DWE aims to increase the number of Emirati women joining the workforce, enhance their representation in decision-making positions and pioneer distinction among working women.
