UAE Leads Regional Dialogue on Gender Equality and Labour Market Balance
The Emirates hosted a pivotal workshop bringing together GCC nations to develop comprehensive guidelines for advancing women's participation and opportunity across the Gulf's labour markets.
The United Arab Emirates convened a significant regional gathering in Dubai this week, drawing together labour officials, women’s affairs experts and policy specialists from across the Gulf Cooperation Council to advance gender equality in the region’s workforces.
Organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in partnership with the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in GCC States, the workshop on 28th and 29th September 2026 focused on developing practical guidelines to enhance gender balance and equality across GCC labour markets, forming part of the GCC Labour Ministers Committee’s strategic agenda for 2024-2029.
Shayma Alawadhi, Under-Secretary of Labour Market Development & Regulation at MoHRE, opened proceedings by emphasising that the guidelines represent a transformative step in establishing a unified Gulf framework that draws upon the expertise and proven practices already flourishing throughout member states. She outlined how such collaboration would strengthen policy development, expand women’s participation and foster equal opportunities across labour markets.
The UAE’s own achievements provided compelling evidence of what comprehensive support can accomplish. Ms Alawadhi highlighted the nation’s carefully constructed ecosystem of legislation, policies and initiatives designed to create flexible, inclusive workplaces that allow women to balance professional advancement with family life, whilst maintaining rigorous protections of their rights. Drawing upon technology and artificial intelligence, these frameworks have yielded remarkable results: Emirati women now represent 71% of all Emirati professionals in the private sector and constitute 55% of Emiratis in executive and leadership positions. Between 2020 and mid-2026, women’s labour market participation surged by 131%.
The Emirates remains committed to channelling this expertise across the Gulf region, recognising that women’s empowerment and human capital investment form essential foundations for building more inclusive, balanced and competitive economies. This conviction aligns with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan, alongside the broader strategic aspirations of Gulf states to achieve sustainable development and establish knowledge-driven, skills-based economic models.
Throughout the workshop, representatives from across the GCC presented national experiences and initiatives, whilst also examining relevant international practices. This collaborative approach ensures that the emerging guidelines reflect both regional contexts and proven global methodology, offering a practical reference to support policymakers developing initiatives that enhance gender equality throughout Gulf labour markets.
Delegates departed the workshop united in their commitment to continued coordination and knowledge-sharing among GCC states, determined to translate success stories into refined policies and practices that will expand women’s economic participation and strengthen integration across the region.
Source: WAM