Abu dhabi: The UAE Gender Balance Council has launched the National Gender Balance Survey as part of the development of the UAE Gender Balance Strategy 2027-2031, in a step aimed at expanding community participation and consolidating insights and data informing key priorities for the next phase.
According to Emirates News Agency, the development of the new strategy builds on the UAE's approach of placing people at the heart of development initiatives, investing in their capabilities, and advancing policies, legislation, and initiatives to support equal opportunities. This effort is part of the preparation for economic, social, and technological transformations reshaping societies, labour markets, and the global economy.
H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, emphasized that the UAE continues to advance its development model with a strong focus on investing in people and empowering them to shape the future. She noted that the country's success in promoting gender equality sets the stage for greater ambitions in the upcoming phase.
H.H. Sheikha Manal stated, 'We want the UAE Gender Balance Strategy 2027-2031 to reflect the country's ambitions for the next phase, keep pace with rapid global transformations, and open new horizons for talent and expertise to enrich the development journey, while also unlocking future opportunities, strengthening the UAE's competitiveness, and reinforcing its global leadership in promoting gender balance.'
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, highlighted that the development of the new strategy is guided by a forward-looking perspective. This perspective goes beyond evaluating current realities to anticipate changes impacting people's lives and opportunities in the future, including transformations in the labour market, the future economy, artificial intelligence, future skills, and social shifts.
Al Marri explained that the strategy is based on an integrated approach, combining data and analysis, stakeholder dialogue, institutional expertise, and community participation. This enables the development of priorities based on a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and an informed outlook on the future, considering the UAE's identity and national priorities.
Within this framework, the National Gender Balance Survey is a key stage in the strategy development process. It broadens engagement to include people from various segments of society, professional backgrounds, and life stages. This approach complements existing data with direct insights reflecting people's experiences, needs, and aspirations.
Mouza Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, mentioned that numbers and indicators provide a distinct part of the picture, while listening to people's experiences adds an essential dimension. Through the National Survey, a broader base of insights is being drawn upon to comprehend diverse experiences from different segments of society across the emirates.
She added that the survey results will be integrated with data, consultations, and expertise gathered as part of the strategy development process, leading to a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges at hand and helping identify priorities for the next phase.
The survey covers topics related to economic participation, career development, financial security, social care, quality of life, future skills, and the impact of technology, artificial intelligence, and economic transformations on opportunities and career pathways. It is open to UAE citizens and residents, men and women, across different age groups, sectors, and life stages in all emirates, ensuring diverse participation and broad understanding.
The survey ensures participants' identities remain confidential, takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and is available in Arabic and English. Participants can access the survey through the sustained development of its national gender balance strategies and policies, the UAE aims to build on the progress achieved to date while exploring new areas for breakthroughs in the future, supporting the country's global competitiveness, quality of life, and the sustainability of its development journey.