Mohammed bin Rashid honours winners of Gender Balance Index

11-12-2017

DUBAI-- The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said that gender balance is an important element of the national agenda and the UAE Vision 2021, emphasising that enhancing gender balance in the UAE will contribute to sustainable development and the fulfillment of the UAE’s commitments to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

This came during a ceremony held to honour the winners of the Gender Balance Index 2017. The index features three categories: Best Personality for Supporting Gender Balance, Best Federal Entity for Supporting Gender Balance, and the Best Initiative for Supporting Gender Balance.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed said that the country, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, works to invest in the development of its people, and considers both women and men as equal partners in national development.

"The UAE continues to follow the path established by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who built strong foundations for gender equality with the support of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation. Sheikh Zayed created an environment that enables all members of the society to positively contribute to the UAE’s progress," he added.

Sheikh Mohammed added that that one of the UAE’s key priorities is to become one of the highest ranked countries globally in gender balance. Ensuring equal opportunities for men and women, support both social cohesion and economic development.

The Vice President honoured H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with a medal for the Best Personality for Supporting Gender Balance. He was honoured in recognition for his strong support to women in the diplomatic sector, which has helped numerous Emirati women achieve global success. Currently, women represent 20 percent of employees in the diplomatic sector in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

He also honoured the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, FCSA, as the Best Federal Entity for Supporting Gender Balance. Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chairwoman of the FCSA, received the ‘UAE Gender Balance Seal’.