Mandate And Leadership
ABOUT THE UAE GENDER BALANCE COUNCIL
Established in 2015 by decree of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE Gender Balance Council is the official federal entity mandated to advance gender balance across all sectors.
Chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Council leads national efforts to embed gender balance into legislation, policies, and workplace practices, making it a pillar of the UAE’s sustainable development and societal resilience.
Driving Gender Balance:
A National and Global Priority
We are committed to shaping a nation where women and men thrive side by side, contributing fully across all sectors and spheres of life.
This mission is rooted in the UAE Constitution, which guarantees equal social and economic opportunities to all citizens.
Our mission is further guided by national strategies including the “We the UAE 2031” Vision and the “National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023–2031”, both of which place women’s economic inclusion and leadership at the heart of sustainable national growth.
We build strong, resilient communities, and a future where shared progress drives sustainable growth for all, making the UAE an exemplary model for gender balance at home and on the global stage.
WHAT GUIDES OUR WORK
The Council’s mandate is carried forward through four strategic objectives:
Reduce gender gaps across government institutions and entities
Champion balanced leadership, ensuring women and men shape decisions at every level
Make gender balance a shared societal value, embedded in daily life and workplaces
Position the UAE as a global reference for gender balance and advance its standing as a benchmark for legislation and progressive governance
OUR STRATEGIC PILLARS
Our work is structured around four integrated pillars:
Economic Participation,
Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion
Enabling women to participate fully in the economy and decision-making
Wellbeing
Ensuring the foundations of physical and mental health and family life are gender balanced
Protection
Safeguarding women's rights and security across legal, workplace, and social domains
Global Leadership and Partnerships
Positioning the UAE as a global reference for gender balance through international collaboration, policy leadership, and knowledge exchange
MESSAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP
Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
President of the UAE Gender Balance Council
Since the establishment of the United Arab Emirates, women’s empowerment and gender balance have been a fundamental part of our national journey. Our wise leadership have always believed in the pivotal role of women as partners in development. Guided by the vision of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Nation,” we laid the foundations of a comprehensive national approach to supporting women and enhancing their contribution.
Today, we are intensifying efforts to strengthen balanced representation in leadership and decision-making, opening wider horizons for equal opportunities. Inspired by global best practices, we aim to advance the UAE’s success story and entrench gender balance as a cornerstone of sustainable growth.
Secretary General
H.E Mouza Mohammed Al Suwaidi
About the General Secretariat
The General Secretariat is mandated to support the work of the UAE Gender Balance Council by overseeing its strategic, executive, and organizational functions. It ensures effective coordination among relevant stakeholders and monitors the implementation of approved policies, initiatives, and programmes.
The General Secretariat is also responsible for developing policies, strategies, and programmes related to gender balance, strengthening data and research frameworks, and managing the Council’s organizational, financial, and administrative affairs. Furthermore, it oversees the organization of the Council’s work and that of its committees, represents the Council, and builds partnerships at both the national and international levels, thereby contributing to the achievement of national priorities and enhancing the Council’s institutional impact.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
The UAE Gender Balance Council brings together representatives from various industries.
Their expertise spans labour market participation, financial inclusion, international competitiveness, legislation, political empowerment, and women’s social and economic advancement.
Together, they coordinate a whole-of-government approach to advance gender balance, aligned with national priorities.
H.E. Mona Ghanem Al Marri
Vice President – UAE Gender Balance Council
H.E. Younis Haji Al Khoori
Under Secretary of Ministry of Finance
H.E. Abdulla AL Saleh
Under Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism
H.E. Omar Obaid Al Shamsi
Under Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
H.E. Huda Al Hashimi
Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs
H.E. Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi
Secretary General of the General Women's Union
H.E. Rym Abdullah Al Falasy
Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood
H.E. Faisal Saeed Al Mheiri
Director General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources
H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli
Director of the Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority
H.E. Khalid Al Harmoodi
Deputy Secretary General for Cabinet Affairs Support in the General Secretariat of the Cabinet
H.E. Hessa Tahlak
Assistant Under Secretary for the Development Sector at the Ministry of Family
H.E. Ahmad Al Nasser
Assistant Under Secretary for Labor Market Policy, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
Responsibilities of the Council Members
Provide gender balance data and statistics
Support initiatives and recommendations
Participate in meetings and working groups
Share knowledge and expertise
Coordinate with other entities
Integrate gender balance into policies and strategies
Promote awareness and training programs
Contribute to studies and research
With Gratitude – To Our Previous Members
The Council renews its membership every three years to ensure continued momentum in achieving its mandate. Previous members played an important role in establishing the foundations for advancing gender balance in the UAE.
We extend our sincerest appreciation to our members whose dedicated efforts have laid a strong foundation, enabling the UAE’s progress in gender balance.
H.E Mouza Mohammed Al Suwaidi
Secretary General
About the General Secretariat
The General Secretariat is mandated to support the work of the UAE Gender Balance Council by overseeing its strategic, executive, and organizational functions. It ensures effective coordination among relevant stakeholders and monitors the implementation of approved policies, initiatives, and programmes.
The General Secretariat is also responsible for developing policies, strategies, and programmes related to gender balance, strengthening data and research frameworks, and managing the Council’s organizational, financial, and administrative affairs. Furthermore, it oversees the organization of the Council’s work and that of its committees, represents the Council, and builds partnerships at both the national and international levels, thereby contributing to the achievement of national priorities and enhancing the Council’s institutional impact.