As one of its very core and founding principles since this nation was formed, both men and women are cherished as equals, gender balance is guaranteed, and the two sexes are held in the same standing. And down through the decades of this nation’s march of progress, both men and women have walked side by side, stride for stride, to fulfil their personal ambitions, growth and challenges. And throughout, the leadership of the UAE has ensured that equal opportunities were provided for all its citizens, regardless of gender.
Now, the principle of gender equality has been further enhanced and enshrined in the laws of this land, with the provision of draft legislation to ensure both sexes are paid and treated equally in the workplace. The new draft legislation was announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Taking to Twitter, Shaikh Mohammad said the draft of the first gender and pay legislation was adopted by the UAE Cabinet, and to highlight it even more, he added: “With the force of the law and wisdom, there are no exceptions in providing equal opportunities between the sexes.” He added that the Constitution of the UAE includes the equal rights and duties of genders, and “we seek to enhance, enforce and guarantee this constitutional right through the new law.”
This legislative initiative is indeed most welcome, highlighting an issue that in other nations has proven to be socially divisive. Now, when the gender equality guarantee legislation takes effect, women have a legal framework to seek redress should they have been treated in a manner or through remunerations that are not consistent across the board between both men and women. This legal framework further casts gender equality in stone, and it is a model that needs to be noted by the private sector, where gender equality needs to be affirmed and where all are paid and treated equally regardless of gender. For too long, the private sector has been lagging behind by acting and adopting in outmoded and inappropriate thinking on gender and equality in their workplaces. They need to follow suit — and soon.
This initiative too shows that the Leadership of the land is attuned to the needs of its citizens, listens when concerns and issues are raised, and acts in a consistent and effective manner to introduce legislation, initiatives and programmes to improve the lives and living standards of all.
