The Feminist Infrastructure of the Emirates: Building Identity, Policy, and Legacy
The UAE’s feminist infrastructure shapes its identity, policy, and legacy. This stands out as a remarkable achievement in the Middle East. Many Western observers link Arab Gulf states with traditional gender roles, but the UAE has built one of the region’s most progressive gender equality frameworks since 1971.
The UAE’s integrated approach spans policy dimensions in many sectors. The nation has woven gender considerations into its national development strategy, from education to fiscal policy. The UAE foreign university degree recognition policy has opened substantial opportunities for women in higher education and professional growth. The nation’s young history has not stopped it from implementing forward-thinking monetary policy with gender-responsive elements. The Abu Dhabi education policy inclusion students framework shows how equality forms the foundations of UAE’s institutions. Yes, it is this thoughtful development of feminist infrastructure that defines the Emirates’ national identity and global position.
The Foundational Vision: Gender Equality in the UAE
Image Source: pchr.gov.ae
“Nothing makes me happier than to see women assume their rightful role in society and fulfill their potential. Nothing should stop the progress of women. Women have equal rights to me in assuming top positions, which befit their abilities and qualifications.” — Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father and First President of the United Arab Emirates
The UAE’s commitment to gender equality stems from its founding father’s personal beliefs. His progressive vision for women became part of Emirati society’s DNA, and this foundation grows stronger each year.
Sheik Zayed’s early commitment to women’s rights
Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father, made gender equality the life-blood of the nation during its early years. His views on women’s rights stood out as progressive in that region and era. “Nothing makes me happier than to see women assume their rightful role in society and realize their potential,” he declared. These words shaped the nation’s path toward gender equality.
Sheik Zayed believed women should earn positions based on merit, not gender. He stated clearly that “Women have the right to work everywhere. Like men, women deserve the right to occupy high positions according to their capabilities and qualifications”. Such ideas broke new ground in the 1970s Middle East.
His actions matched his words. He knew that equipping women meant ending illiteracy and giving them complete educational opportunities. The UAE Constitution under his guidance guaranteed equal rights for men and women in property, education, healthcare, inheritance, and jobs.
Sheik Zayed saw beyond economic participation. He called women “half of the society” who should be “enabled, respected and developed to contribute equally to the country’s development”. He saw them as the “backbone of the social structure,” vital for preserving culture while enabling society to grow.
The role of Sheikha Fatima in shaping national gender policy
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak—known as the “Mother of the Nation”—turned these founding principles into complete national gender policies. She started by creating the General Women’s Union in 1975 under Federal Law No. 6 of 1974. This organization has pushed women’s progress forward at home and represented their interests globally.
Sheikha Fatima’s leadership created a detailed policy framework. She launched the National Strategy for the Advancement of Women in 2002, followed by the Strategy for Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship 2015-2021. The UAE Cabinet approved her latest initiative, the National Policy for Women’s Empowerment 2023-2031, which sets bold new goals.
These policies have achieved remarkable results. Sheikha Fatima noted that the 2015-2021 strategy review showed “achievements that exceeded expectations”. These successes have made Emirati women what she calls “the heartbeat of society and the foundation of sustainable progress”.
Sheikha Fatima’s General Women’s Union has shaped policies, built capabilities, reformed laws, and created national empowerment strategies. The organization launched Phase 1 of the National Program for Qualifying Cadres for Women’s and Girls’ Rights, which gives participants tools to promote gender equality.
The General Women’s Union celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025 with the theme “Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years”. This milestone shows how 50 years of dedicated work has supported women in political, economic, and social spheres through a system that protects their rights.
Sheik Zayed and Sheikha Fatima built a feminist framework that shapes Emirati identity, policy, and legacy. Future generations can now build on this strong foundation.
Education as the First Pillar of Feminist Infrastructure
Image Source: Arab Center Washington DC
Education is the life-blood that helped UAE build its feminist infrastructure. It turned the founding vision into real opportunities for women nationwide. Since the federation began, access to education became a priority to advance gender equality and women’s progress.
Equal access to education since 1971
The UAE’s birth in 1971 launched a new era in women’s education. The government passed a law that year making school mandatory for all children. This bold move made equal access to education a fundamental right from day one.
The results over the years speak volumes. UNESCO’s 2015 report shows women’s literacy rate in UAE reached 95.8%. The World Economic Forum’s 2014 Global Gender Gap Report confirms that UAE has bridged the education gap between men and women.
Today’s numbers tell an even more compelling story. More than 77% of Emirati women pursue higher education after high school. They make up 70% of all university graduates in UAE. This educational foundation opens doors to leadership roles and career success. Female students now dominate higher education – they represented 68.4% of all students in the 2016/2017 academic year.
Women in STEM: participation and achievements
UAE’s success in getting women into STEM fields stands out globally. An impressive 61% of STEM graduates in UAE are Emirati women, higher than the Arab world’s average of 57%. Women make up 56% of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics graduates in public universities.
The Emirates Mars Mission showcases this achievement perfectly. Women played key roles in the mission – they made up 34% of the team and an incredible 80% of the Hope Probe’s operations team. Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, puts it best: “Our science team is 80% women. They are there based on merit and based on what they contribute towards the design and development of the mission”.
Several Emirati women have become trailblazers in STEM:
- Nora AlMatrooshi broke barriers at 28 as the first female Emirati and Arab astronaut, chosen from over 4,000 candidates
- Heyam Al Blooshi serves as a design engineer with the UAE Space Agency and helped drive the Emirates Mars Mission
- Fatima Al Kaabi earned the UAE Pioneer Award and became the youngest Emirati inventor at age 15
UAE foreign university degree recognition policy and its effect
UAE’s progressive policies for recognizing foreign university degrees create more educational opportunities for women. The current system makes recognition easier by looking at the ranking of universities instead of requiring students to study in person.
Universities ranked between 1 and 200 globally need only verify their certificates for recognition. This applies to most programs except specialized fields. The system allows distance and e-learning for most programs, excluding engineering, medicine, and law.
Getting a degree recognized happens in two steps. First, verify the degree with Ministry of Education’s trusted partners. Then, apply for recognition from the Ministry. This optimized process gives students more flexibility in their educational journey.
These policies help women advance their education and careers. The recognition system removes location barriers, letting women access global education while staying connected to their families and culture in UAE.
Policy Frameworks That Empower
Policy frameworks are the structural backbone of UAE’s commitment to gender equality. These frameworks turn aspirations into actionable plans. They set measurable targets and accountability mechanisms in government and private sectors.
National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women
UAE’s complete approach to strengthening women gained structure in 2002. Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak launched the first national strategy for women. Later, on March 8, 2015, she revealed an updated National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women for 2015-2021. This strategy created a framework for federal and local government entities, private sector, and social organizations to support women’s advancement in sustainable development.
The 2015-2021 strategy emerged from analyzes of previous policies and programs through collaborative workshops with partner organizations. The strategy wanted to position UAE among the world’s leading countries in women’s empowerment.
Sheikha Fatima launched the National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023-2031 on Emirati Women’s Day 2023, under the theme “We Work Together for Tomorrow”. This updated policy has three main goals:
- Building interdependent, cohesive families that boost women’s societal roles
- Integrating women in the labor market and future sectors
- Developing women’s capacities and boosting their future skills
The General Women’s Union partners with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and Executive Councils to oversee implementation in federal, local, and private sectors.
Gender Balance Council and its initiatives
The UAE Gender Balance Council, a federal entity created in May 2015, develops and implements the country’s gender balance agenda. Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairs the Council that works to reduce gender gaps in government sectors.
The Council’s core objectives include:
- Reducing the gender gap in government sectors
- Boosting UAE’s ranking in global competitiveness reports on gender equality
- Promoting gender balance in decision-making positions
- Making UAE a role model for gender balance
- Promoting UAE’s status as a standard for gender balance legislation
The Council launched the Gender Balance Guide: Actions for UAE Organizations in September 2017, prepared by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. This guide suggests specific actions to implement gender balance commitments, integrate gender into policies, engage personnel, implement balance in leadership positions, and use gender-sensitive communication.
The Council’s latest strategy runs until 2026 and focuses on four strategic pillars: economic participation, wellbeing, protections, and strategic collaborations.
Abu Dhabi education policy inclusion students
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has created a groundbreaking inclusion policy. This policy extends the feminist infrastructure to all vulnerable populations. Schools must promote inclusive education principles through a rights-based approach based on Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 Concerning the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Schools cannot reject students with special needs or learning disabilities. They must provide detailed written evidence about their limitations if they cannot accommodate a student. ADEK’s inclusion team reviews each case and can overturn rejection decisions. They can require schools to accept students they believe can receive support.
The policy has reshaped terminology and roles. Shadow teachers are now inclusion assistants, and schools must create specialized inclusion teams. Schools must make their buildings available to everyone through wheelchair-accessible ramps, evacuation alarms with flashing lights for those with hearing impairments, and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for students who need additional support.
Schools that don’t comply face consequences. They get chances to fix non-compliance issues, but may face fines and “very high stakes” penalties.
Professional Development and Economic Inclusion
Image Source: KPI
The UAE demonstrates its dedication to gender equality through institutions and initiatives that create real opportunities for women professionals. Their approach goes beyond theory to create programs that help women advance in various sectors.
WiSER and Women in Innovation programs
The Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) platform has been the life-blood of UAE’s professional development infrastructure since 2015. This global initiative champions women as leaders of sustainable change through education, participation, and strengthening. The platform’s roots trace back to the late founding father Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision.
Young women aged 25-35 can revolutionize their careers through the year-long WiSER Pioneers Program. They get access to custom educational workshops and global networking with industry experts. More than 150 professional young women from over 30 nationalities have completed this program. Eligible candidates must have degrees in environment, energy, sustainability, or STEM fields with at least two years of work experience.
The WiSER Mentorship Program offers personalized growth through one-on-one mentoring with senior industry leaders. They focus on goal setting, skills-building, and leadership preparation. The program’s results are a big deal as they mean that 535+ hours of mentoring have helped young women become sustainability leaders, along with 540+ hours of workshops for WiSER Pioneers.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week hosts the WiSER Annual Forum, which brings new ideas and practical solutions to strengthen current and future women sustainability leaders. The 2025 forum, themed “Igniting the Climate Economy,” will feature five in-person roundtables with global sustainability leaders.
Support for female entrepreneurs and researchers
The UAE has built complete support systems for women entrepreneurs. Women’s workforce participation has grown to 34.6 percent in 2024, up from 32.5 percent in 2023. Businesswomen now make up 18 percent of all UAE entrepreneurs, and 77.6 percent of women-owned businesses have leaders under forty.
Early 2024 saw over 2,000 new businesses registered by Emirati businesswomen, which is about 22 percent of all new registrations. These women show strong leadership, with 48.8 percent holding executive-director positions and 61.4 percent being sole business owners.
Emirati women have launched several groundbreaking projects including:
- Solar energy production from residential and commercial rooftops
- A startup specializing in remote healthcare services using virtual reality technology with an AED200 million investment
- An e-commerce platform connecting local artisans with the global market, achieving revenues exceeding AED150 million in its first year
The Middle East faces challenges as only 2% of investments go to female-led startups. Mentorship programs stress training, capacity building, and support during tough times to address this gap.
Fiscal policy and gender-responsive budgeting
UAE has adopted innovative fiscal approaches to support gender equality. Their pioneering Gender Responsive Budgeting pilot program makes use of information about gender and population to redistribute financing and create new initiatives for women entrepreneurs.
UAE Gender Balance Council’s Mona Al Marri believes that including gender balance in national budgets helps address women’s needs effectively. She emphasized funding allocation to educate women in STEM fields and train them as green industry leaders.
Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) has become a vital tool to drive inclusive growth and systemic change. This method helps governments allocate resources fairly and build foundations for sustainable economic growth.
Success requires institutional capacity building, better data collection, learning from best practices, ministerial collaboration, and gender-balanced leadership in decision-making. In spite of that, these fiscal innovations are just one part of UAE’s complete approach to women’s economic inclusion.
Women in Leadership: Building a Legacy
Image Source: The National News
Leadership positions showcase UAE’s feminist foundation, where institutional groundwork turns into visible representation. Emirati women now stand at the vanguard of nation-building in multiple sectors, from ministerial appointments to diplomatic roles.
Profiles of key female ministers and diplomats
Nine women serve as ministers in UAE’s Cabinet, which demonstrates the nation’s steadfast dedication to female leadership. This representation ranks UAE among the world’s highest for women’s participation in government. Shamma Al Mazrui became the Minister of State for Youth Affairs in 2016 at age 22, making her the world’s youngest minister.
Women hold 50% of seats in the Federal National Council (FNC). UAE ranks first in female parliamentary representation according to the IMF World Competitiveness Yearbook 2020. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi made history as FNC President in 2015. She became the first woman to lead a national assembly in the region.
The judiciary has welcomed more female judges. The first female judge took office in 2008, and two women joined the Federal Judiciary in 2019. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ workforce now includes 42.5% women. Twenty-one women serve as ambassadors and deputy chiefs of missions abroad as of 2023.
Women in sustainability and smart city planning
UAE’s sustainability initiatives now have women at the helm. Her Excellency Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of State for Food and Water Security, builds infrastructure that supports UAE’s food security goals. These goals line up with the Centennial 2071 Plan.
Her Excellency Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr leads Smart Dubai. She oversees the city’s technological transformation through better resource use and reliable infrastructure. Women bring fresh points of view to environmental challenges, fulfilling Sheik Zayed’s vision.
Representation in international organizations
Emirati women have built a strong international presence. Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh became UAE’s first female Permanent Representative to the UN in 2013. She achieved several milestones during her tenure. She became the first Arab female president of the UN Women Executive Board in 2017 and served as Vice President for the 2017 United Nations General Assembly.
Her Excellency Dr. Nawal Al Hosany serves as Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). She advances carbon neutrality and supports global energy transition efforts. Women’s representation in these international forums has turned UAE’s gender policy into global influence.
UAE sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution that made June 24 the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. This move has cemented their dedication to gender equality in foreign policy worldwide.
Cultural Identity and Feminist Urban Design
Urban design quietly reveals cultural values of a society. The UAE’s physical spaces show the nation’s dedication to gender equality and create environments where women actively participate in public life.
How infrastructure reflects gender inclusion
Physical spaces are never neutral. Male-dominated viewpoints have shaped urban planning historically, which creates bias in how cities work. This makes feminist urbanism crucial as it advocates for inclusive processes that add women’s experiences to development decisions. Cities work better when designers consider all users, not just the “neutral” male user.
Gender data plays a vital role in urban development. It captures how different genders experience conditions differently and helps make design choices more fair. This data, combined with community input, gives women a voice in policies that shape their daily lives.
Public spaces, transport, and safety for women
Women’s perception of safety shapes how they move through public spaces. Design changes affect these perceptions by a lot. Removing solid walls makes people feel more secure, especially women. Fear of crime affects both mind and body, hurting mental and physical health while restricting women’s movement.
The UAE makes women’s safety a top priority in urban spaces. Public transport has special sections for women and children to improve comfort. This commitment goes beyond transport – women-only areas exist in hospitals, dental clinics, and other public facilities. These arrangements help women move confidently through society.
Smart Dubai and inclusive city planning
Smart Dubai’s 2021 Strategy creates a detailed framework for inclusive urban development based on four main pillars: uninterrupted service provision, efficient resource use, safety through risk prediction, and tailored experiences. This plan focuses on customer happiness, economic growth, and infrastructure resilience as its main goals.
The emirate wants to improve life quality through technology that streamlines social, cultural, education, and healthcare experiences. The plan also focuses on innovative mobility solutions for safe transportation while using advanced ICT strategies to streamline resource use and conservation.
Global Influence and Soft Power
“Emirati women have achieved successes that inspired the entire world. Today, they have aspirations and ambitions to create a prosperous and sustainable future.” — Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, Mother of the Nation; Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood
The UAE’s influence now reaches way beyond its borders. The country’s progressive stance on women’s rights shapes global conversations about gender equality. Through strategic collaborations and smart investments, UAE has become a powerful voice in advancing women’s rights across the world.
UAE’s role in international gender equality forums
UAE strengthened its dedication to global gender equality by partnering with UN Women in March 2024. The country invested USAED 55.08 million over 3.5 years to lift women’s status worldwide. This collaboration builds on UAE’s success in gender balance reforms. The country ranks first in the Arab region for closing the gender gap. UAE remains committed to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and helps advance women’s participation in peacebuilding.
The country’s commitment led to a significant achievement. UAE sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution that made June 24 the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.
Exporting the Emirati model of inclusion
UAE shares its successful gender balance model with other nations. The country launched a “100% Women Policy” in 2018 to ensure gender mainstreaming in all foreign assistance programs. UAE partnered with the World Bank to create the Gender Balance Center for Excellence and Knowledge Exchange. This center helps drive regional cooperation and legislative progress in gender balance.
These initiatives have boosted UAE’s global reputation. The country ranks 10th in the 2023 Global Soft Power Index—climbing 5 spots since 2022—and leads the region.
Monetary policy and international development aid
UAE’s financial commitments reflect its steadfast dedication to gender equality. The country directed AED 8.63 billion toward foreign aid projects for women between 2017 and 2022—7.7% of its total foreign assistance. This support focuses on three main areas: gender equality, empowerment, and protection against violence.
UAE’s contribution to the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee grew to 27% in 2023. The country also provided AED 183.60 million to the Women Entrepreneur Finance Initiative. This funding supports women-led SMEs in developing nations.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Feminist Infrastructure
The UAE’s broader development strategy now goes hand in hand with women’s rights advancement. The country builds on decades of progress in feminist infrastructure to create even more ambitious plans for the future.
UAE Vision 2071 and gender equality goals
UAE Centennial 2071 vision makes women’s strength the life-blood of complete development and shapes the future. This long-term strategy invests in human capital, adopts state-of-the-art solutions, and promotes a sustainable knowledge economy where gender equality plays a vital role. The National Policy to strengthen Emirati Women 2023-2031 takes this vision further through three main guides. These guides focus on building supportive family structures, bringing women into labor markets and future sectors, and building women’s skills for the future.
Sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth
Gender equality has become central to UAE’s sustainable development plans. The UAE’s score in implementing SDG5 (gender equality and women’s strength) stands at 83%, which shows remarkable progress. Emirati women’s participation in the economy exceeds 54%, making UAE one of the regional leaders. Dubai Women Establishment’s 2023-2027 strategic plan wants to create better work environments, develop women leaders, and improve quality of life. This plan helps Dubai become a trailblazing model for women-friendly cities.
The UAE’s feminist infrastructure proves what thoughtful policy, visionary leadership, and strategic implementation can achieve. Sheik Zayed’s foundational commitment and Sheikha Fatima’s dedicated stewardship have turned aspirational principles into tangible institutions. These frameworks now pervade every aspect of Emirati society.
Education serves as the life-blood of this infrastructure. Women make up 70% of university graduates and lead STEM fields at rates higher than global averages. Complete support systems help female entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders translate these educational achievements into professional success.
Strong policy frameworks cement these achievements. The National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women, Gender Balance Council initiatives, and gender-responsive budgeting keep women’s needs central to national development planning. Women now lead nine ministerial positions, represent 50% of Federal National Council seats, and serve as UAE diplomats worldwide.
UAE’s cities reflect this commitment to equality. Urban planners create safe, inclusive spaces where women fully participate in public life. Smart Dubai showcases this approach by prioritizing continuous connection, efficient resources, and safety through state-of-the-art design.
The nation’s global influence grows through billions invested in international development aid for women’s empowerment. UAE shares its successful gender balance model through strategic collaborations. This complete approach has improved the UAE’s soft power and established it as a regional leader in gender equality.
During this experience, Emirati women have managed to keep their cultural identity while adopting expanded opportunities. Their success in space exploration and entrepreneurship shows the transformative potential of feminist infrastructure backed by genuine political will.
UAE Vision 2071 places women’s empowerment at its core. The feminist infrastructure built over five decades provides solid groundwork for ambitious goals in sustainability, state-of-the-art solutions, and inclusive growth.
Other nations can learn valuable lessons from the Emirati model. Gender equality needs more than words—it requires systematic institution-building, policy frameworks, and physical infrastructure designed for women’s needs. UAE’s transformation from a traditional society to gender equality pioneer in one generation shows that meaningful progress happens with the right vision and commitment.
