GCC Nations Unite to Empower Women Economically in Dubai

Photo: WAM

A major regional event focusing on women's economic empowerment wrapped up in Dubai, hosted by the UAE Gender Balance Council in partnership with the World Bank. The two-day workshop brought together key leaders and experts from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain to exchange ideas, share experiences, and commit to stronger cooperation in boosting women’s roles in the economy.

Held under the UAE Gender Balance Centre for Excellence & Knowledge Exchange, the ‘GCC Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Women’s Economic Empowerment’ became an important moment for strengthening gender equality across the region. It served as a platform for discussions on legal reforms, policy development, and practical steps to increase women’s participation in the workforce.

H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, highlighted that empowering women is not just a goal but a powerful tool for national progress. She emphasised the UAE’s dedication to working closely with other Gulf nations and learning from each other to create a strong, inclusive future.

She said, “When women are empowered, societies grow stronger, more resilient, and more innovative. The UAE believes that regional cooperation and sharing knowledge are key to achieving lasting gender balance.”

The workshop demonstrated the significant impact of teamwork, according to Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council. She mentioned that the UAE has made gender balance a central part of its laws, strategies, and institutions, and this event helps push that commitment further by including other GCC countries.

Mouza Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the Council, welcomed the visiting delegations and said that despite the different journeys of each country, they share the same vision—to build economies where both men and women can thrive equally.

The event included participation from many major government organisations from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. These included ministries focused on economy, finance, workforce development, social insurance, and women’s advancement.

Day one of the workshop covered topics such as support for working mothers, maternity laws, and the World Bank’s approach to measuring progress in women’s legal rights.
Day two was about learning from each other’s national experiences:

• The UAE shared its gender balance efforts in the job market.
• Saudi Arabia talked about increasing women’s workforce participation and improving social insurance.
• Bahrain showcased its training and upskilling programmes for women.

A discussion on the future steps for collaboration concluded the event. The World Bank and the UAE Gender Balance Council jointly released a study that included key conclusions and suggestions for the future.

This event reflects a growing commitment across the GCC to build fairer, more inclusive economies where women can contribute fully and equally.