Emirati women pillars of UAE's pathbreaking progress

The UAE has presented a distinguished model in the political empowerment of women, stemming from a firm belief in their competence and ability to achieve meaningful and positive impact across all sectors of work, and to contribute effectively to the sustainable development process witnessed by the nation.

- 

The landmark decision in 2019 to raise women’s representation in the Federal National Council (FNC) to 50 per cent reflected the UAE leadership's vision of strengthening political empowerment for women. This step placed the UAE first in the Arab world and the wider region in terms of female parliamentary representation, and fourth globally, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The journey of Emirati women in the FNC began in 2006 when they participated as voters and candidates in the first electoral experience. The 14th legislative term in 2007 saw nine women, making up 22.5 per cent of the Council's members. This was followed by seven women (17.5 per cent) in the 15th term in 2011, eight women (22 per cent) in the 16th term in 2015, culminating in a 50 per cent representation from the 17th legislative term in 2019 through to the current 18th term in 2023.

MILESTONE: A milestone was achieved in 2015 when Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi was elected Speaker of the FNC, becoming the first woman in the Arab world to head a parliamentary institution.