This country has been richly rewarded for its efforts to support the participation of all its citizens – whether in business, government, or cultural spheres. For Emirati women, this encouragement has seen them use their natural talents to be among the top rank of Arab women in terms of power and influence.
These benefits apply equally to academia, where the achievements of women in science were championed at the Eye on Earth Summit in Abu Dhabi earlier this week. By encouraging the next generation of women to become involved in scientific pursuits, we can expect the different range of life experiences and perspectives they will bring to the research process to broaden the thought process at work.
Diversity tends to bring out the best in academic communities and the UAE will benefit intellectually, economically and socially from universities and research institutes that have more women on staff. University libraries are littered with relics of theories that were once thought to be unchallengeable. The increasing diversity of academia played an important role in this – homogenous groups are more susceptible to groupthink compared to decisions made when a range of perspectives and patterns of thinking are involved.
Just having women present is not enough. Research suggests that in meetings where men outnumber women, the men talk longer, interrupt their female colleagues more often and fail to value their contributions. A similar dynamic affects women when they apply for high-level academic jobs. Needless to say, failing to value half the population does little to aid research progress.
In the UAE, women account for 76 per cent of undergraduates, but only 34 per cent of the workforce and just 1.2 per cent of corporate board members.
Since the formation of the UAE, our leaders have made it a priority to recognise women’s contributions. Equality is a cause to constantly champion, whether in the workplace or in academia.
