Jamal Al Jassmi: Emirati Women are active partners in UAE’s development and prosperity

Celebrating Emirati women, on the 28th of August each year, comes in great appreciation of their key role in the development of the UAE, being a cornerstone in the country’s renaissance, who managed throughout the years to carve out a niche for themselves and move steadily on the path towards building the nation’s future. 

On the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, we congratulate Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), who has laid a solid foundation for Emirati women to achieve remarkable success, helping the UAE secure a leading position in the field of women’s empowerment.

Women in the UAE have excelled in all spheres of the economy, especially in the banking and finance sector thanks to the UAE’s wise leadership efforts in providing an environment that supports the empowerment and leadership of Emirati women and activating their role in the financial sector.

Emirati women make up almost 70 per cent of UAE Nationals employed in the banking and finance sector this progress is attributed to the UAE government’s foresight and commitment towards women empowerment and promoting better gender balance being the second most gender-equal country in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, according to Global Gender Gap Report 2022 released by World Economic Forum.

Supporting women through training and education has been a major focus at the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS), in line with the vision of UAE’s wise leadership, which has regarded women as an integral part of the comprehensive and sustainable development process, resulting in an increase in women’s demand for banking training and education, as we have witnessed increasing participation of Emirati women by 27 per cent during the past five years.

Last year alone, women accounted for 32 per cent of participants in our training courses and workshops reaching over 10,000 Emirati Female participants of the total number of participants which hit 32,000 in 2021.

At EIBFS, we also support the leading role of women by organizing the Distinguished Women Award in the Banking and Finance Sector, which has been presented by the Institute since 2014, the Award aims to honor the efforts of Emirati female talent and to empower and motivate women and highlight their roles in supporting and developing the banking and financial industry, becoming role models for other women who aspire to leadership positions.

• The author is the General Manager of the Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies