Cabinet issues resolution to reorganise UAE Gender Balance Council

The UAE Cabinet has approved a resolution to reorganise the UAE Gender Balance Council, reinforcing the UAE’s steadfast commitment to enhancing the participation of all community segments in the nation’s development journey, promoting equal opportunities, and solidifying its global standing as a model for gender balance.

The council’s objectives include achieving gender balance and equal opportunities across all sectors in the UAE, supporting men and women’s contributions to sustainable development, and ensuring harmony with national priorities related to family, motherhood, and community. It also seeks to position the UAE as a global role model for gender equality while enhancing coordination among federal and concerned entities to create an enabling environment.

Reporting directly to the Cabinet, the council’s key mandates include proposing and reviewing policies, legislation, and strategies to promote gender balance, coordinating with relevant authorities for approval and implementation, and monitoring global reports to suggest improvements. It will also develop mechanisms to measure progress, establish a comprehensive national database, conduct specialised studies on regional and international trends, and represent the UAE in relevant regional and international organizations and events.

The UAE Cabinet has also approved the restructuring of the UAE Gender Balance Council, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the membership of Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President; Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance; Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; Omar Obaid Mohammed Al Hassan Al Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Huda Al Hashimi, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs; Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women's Union; Reem Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood; Faisal Saeed bin Butti Al Muhairi, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources; Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre; Khalid Abdulrahim Al Harmoodi, Assistant Secretary General for Cabinet Affairs Support; Hessa Abdulrahman Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Community Development; in addition to Ahmed Yousef Al Nasser - Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Market Policies at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.