Manal bint Mohammed: Gender Balance as a Fundamental Pillar for Sustainable Development
The issue of gender balance is a pressing concern in today’s world, as many countries strive to achieve effective balance to enhance sustainable development. In this context, Manal bint Mohammed has highlighted the importance of gender balance as a fundamental element in supporting sustainable development policies. This article aims to review the national efforts made to achieve gender balance goals in the UAE, showcasing the visions and initiatives that enhance women’s participation in various fields and affirming the role of this balance as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
National Dialogue to Promote Gender Balance
The UAE Gender Balance Council launched a national dialogue that brought together more than 100 representatives from government entities and private sector partners who signed a commitment to accelerate the fifth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals. The discussions focused on formulating the Gender Balance Strategy for 2027–2031, with workshops and discussion panels reviewing national priorities and future opportunities to enhance gender balance. This reflects the UAE’s steadfast commitment to collaboration and partnership in developing national policies that serve sustainable development goals.
Effective New Strategic Pillars
The meeting discussed a set of key pillars related to the new strategy, including education, career pathways, health, well-being, as well as leadership and entrepreneurship. These pillars reflect a comprehensive vision aimed at building a more resilient society prepared to face economic and social changes. The opportunities and challenges associated with these pillars were also discussed, along with identifying the necessary solutions to launch future initiatives that enhance gender balance and achieve tangible results.
Growing Partnership with the Private Sector
In the context of the dialogue, eight new entities joined the commitment to accelerate the fifth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, raising the total number of participating companies to 88. This expansion reflects the private sector’s commitment to enhancing work policies that support gender balance. This trend underscores the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in achieving sustainable development goals and promoting equal opportunities.
Sustained Government Commitment
The UAE Gender Balance Council aims to build a strategy that ensures the continued achievement of tangible accomplishments in this area. Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed stated that “gender balance represents one of the fundamental pillars of the sustainable development journey in the UAE,” emphasizing that these initiatives contribute to enhancing quality of life and sustaining national gains. The new strategy is expected to include innovative solutions that support future efforts to promote gender balance.
The UAE is making significant strides toward achieving the necessary gender balance, which is considered a fundamental pillar for sustainable development—a direction that is hoped to positively impact the economy and society as a whole.