DUBAI // The UAE is introducing initiatives to improve gender balance and help the Emirates become one of the top 25 countries for gender equality.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has assigned the UAE Gender Balance Council to set up the Gender Inequality Index, devised by the UN Development Programme, in the emirate.
The goal is to help encourage greater participation of women in national development and is in line with UAE Vision 2021, according to the Dubai Media Office.
Sheikh Mohammed has also instructed the council to develop and enact best practices at federal institutions so that they meet their targets.
Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed Al Maktoum praised Sheikh Mohammed’s support. She is president of the UAE Gender Balance Council, president of the Dubai Women Establishment, and wife of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
She said the council would enact a framework to consolidate the efforts of various government entities.
Mona Al Marri, vice president of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said three initiatives would be launched to help individuals and organisations to improve equality between both sexes.
They include documenting the efforts of the supporting bodies and the implementation of the initiative.
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