The UAE has a well-earned reputation for utilising the talents of all who live here. Whether it is cabinet minister Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, named by Forbes magazine as one of the most powerful women in the world, or the women who form the majority of university graduates, the UAE has established itself as a place where ability is more important than gender.
As The National’s business section reports today, this also applies to expatriate women. A new survey found that almost half of the women polled believed that relocating to the UAE had helped their careers, whether by starting their own businesses or otherwise exploring their talents and abilities. This was especially so financially, with 61 per cent saying they earn more here than in their countries of origin. In addition, most of the survey participants did not think their opportunities had been limited by being female in the UAE, with 52 per cent of them answering: “Not at all.”
The survey of 1,100 women conducted by ExpatWoman.com confirms the benefits women in UAE have over many of their counterparts around the world and reflects the government’s focus on improving the status of women both in society and in the workplace.
Another survey by the global management consulting company Accenture shows Emirati women are taking full advantage of the opportunities available to them, with 80 per cent identifying themselves as willing to take on more responsibility and challenges to develop their career.
While the overall findings are positive, the ExpatWoman.com survey also identifies that there remain challenges ahead. Twenty nine per cent of participants said coming to the UAE had held them back or restricted their ability to reach their potential. One in five said their opportunities here had been limited “to some extent” because of their gender. Some said they had been subjected to more sexism, personal harassment or abuse at the workplace than in their home countries.
While the considerable achievements of the UAE on gender equality deserved to be celebrated, these impediments need to be addressed. Part of the challenge is also in helping women find the right balance between work and home, which is assisted by initiatives such as providing more workplace childcare facilities for children. The days of the trailing spouse putting her own career on hold while following her husband’s work are far less prevalent in the UAE, and everyone is better off for it.
