RSSThe dynamic women of United Arab Emirates have played a very important role in the development of the country. Since the nomadic days, the women of UAE took an active part in everyday activities. While the men were out to earn a living, the women took care of agriculture, rearing of livestock and domestic responsibilities. In the 21st century, as UAE steps into an era of advancement, the national importance of women has only increased manifold.
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Women today are the cornerstone of national development and are participating in all sectors of national life. Under the Constitution women enjoy the same legal status, claim to titles, access to education and the right to practice professions as men. |
The UAE Women’s Federation, headed by Sheikha Fatima, wife of the country's President, H H Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was founded in 1975 to encourage the country's women to play a full role in society. It has a number of committees to run its activities, such as religious affairs, mother and child care, social affairs, cultural affairs, sports, heritage and the arts.
Female literacy rates now match those of males, while there are now more women in University than men. Universities are producing women graduates in disciplines such as the arts, engineering, sciences, including environmental sciences, media and communications, as well as computer technology.
This avid embrace of educational opportunities has given UAE women a chance to participate in the development of their society alongside men. Today UAE women are making their presence felt in society as civil servants, university professors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, doctors, under secretaries, business women, administrators, media and as members of the police force and the army.
Around 40% of the total number of employees in the civil services is women. In some areas such as teaching and healthcare women employees are clearly dominant. Around 54.3% of the total number of employees in the health services is women. One out of every three doctors, pharmacists, technicians and administrators is a woman as is 81% of the nursing staff.
The employment of women is helped by the active involvement of women in the media; there are television and radio programmes aimed exclusively at the female audience and magazines devoted to topics of interest to women. Colleges and higher education centres have introduced special communication courses in the women's colleges in an effort to attract more women to this career.
The government of UAE realizes the importance of women in nation building and is firmly committed to the enhancement of the status of women in the country.
