The UAE, represented by the Gender Balance Council, participated in the BRICS Women’s Affairs Ministerial Meeting in Brazil. They addressed key issues including women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, digital safety, and climate action.
On this occasion, Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, praised Brazil’s leadership of the BRICS group. She reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to global collaboration aimed at uplifting women. The UAE is dedicated to ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
Sheikha Manal emphasised that economic empowerment is not only a basic right for women but a national priority. It is also a driver of sustainable growth and innovation. She noted that gender balance is central to the UAE’s national agenda. Economic empowerment for women continues to be a strategic focus, supported by progressive laws. These laws promote equal pay, parental leave, and full economic participation.
Highlighting the UAE’s leadership in including women in climate action and green innovation, Sheikha Manal pointed to the significant roles Emirati women play in sustainability, solar energy, and agriculture sectors.
She also praised the timely and vital themes addressed during the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Women’s Affairs. She recognised a shared determination among member states to place gender equality at the heart of global progress. The focus is on sustainable development. Sheikha Manal stressed the importance of international collaboration, saying, “BRICS offers a valuable platform to share knowledge and create opportunities for women to lead climate action efforts worldwide.”
Sheikha Manal expressed deep pride in the UAE’s milestones in advancing women’s economic empowerment. These achievements were made possible through the steadfast support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Moreover, the encouragement of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, also played a role. She reaffirmed that women’s empowerment remains a fundamental right and a national priority in the UAE.
She also reiterated the UAE’s commitment to shaping a digital future that is empowering, equitable, and protected from gender-based violence. This commitment is supported by robust legal frameworks, including the launch of the “Guidelines for Preventive Policies Against Gender-Based Violence Through Digital Applications” by the UAE Gender Balance Council in November. This is a pioneering initiative to create safer digital environments for women.
The UAE delegation, led by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, participated actively throughout the BRICS meeting.
The session commenced with an address by Brazil’s First Lady, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Other notable figures included Esther Duque, Minister of Administration and Innovation in Public Services; Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality; and Aparecida Gonçalves, Minister of Women of Brazil.
The meeting championed an agenda focused on advancing international cooperation, promoting women’s economic independence and entrepreneurship. It also focused on harnessing digital governance to tackle online violence. Additionally, the meeting aimed at amplifying women’s roles in climate action and sustainable development.
During the “Women, Development, and Entrepreneurship” session, Mona Al Marri highlighted the UAE’s longstanding efforts to support women in business, stating,
“Emirati women have made a lasting impact on our national economy. Today, they represent 18% of all entrepreneurs, and over 77% are under 40.”
She noted that the number of female entrepreneurs in the UAE had risen to 25,000 by 2021. This is a testament to the growing influence and determination of Emirati women in shaping the nation’s future.
