UAE scoops award for leading Arab world in closing gender gap

Country wins at Women in Parliaments Global Forum, held at the Europeam Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.

The National staff

ABU DHABI // The UAE has been applauded for its work in narrowing the gender gap and working to stop inequality, at an international awards ceremony.

At the Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP), the UAE was recognised in the WIP Awards for Closing the Gender Gap, winning the top spot in the category “Achievements in Closing the Gender Gap in the Arab World”, in recognition of its efforts to advance women and promote gender equality.

Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, first deputy speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), collected the award at the ceremony during the 2013 annual summit, which took place between November 27 and 29 at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, under the theme The Spirit of Women in Parliaments: Advancing Society.

Ms Al Qubaisi described the award as a source of pride for all Emiratis, according to state news agency WAM.

She said it represents the efforts being made by the UAE to advance women and bolster their contribution to development under the leadership of the President, Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and by Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, chairperson of the General Women’s Union (GWU).

UAE senior officials, FNC members and ambassadors were among those who attended the WIP Award ceremony.

WIP is an independent, not-for-profit, Zurich-based foundation established with the purpose of advancing society by building a network between women in parliaments.

WIP members are members of parliaments at national level, including those directly elected to the European Parliament.

Based on the rankings of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, the WIP Awards honour countries for leadership in closing the gender gap.

In the report, the UAE was the highest-ranked country in the Arab world. The report noted particular improvements in the areas of literacy and political empowerment.