Women in the United Arab Emirates Essay

Introduction

Many nations in the Middle East are committed to protection of women rights and freedoms. Standard western mindset and stereotypical perception holds that the Middle East discriminates women and denies them their fundamental human rights. While appreciating some incidences of violation of basic human rights are common in every society whether in Western nations or the Middle East nations, the purpose of this paper is to refute the Western perception on the roles of women in the Middle East societies.

This goal is accomplished through discussion of roles of women in the Middle East by focusing particularly on the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) as a case example of nations in the Middle East where compliance to women rights has taken center stage in the systems of administration.

This paper is subdivided into four main sections. The first section offers a historical perspective of the roles of women in the UAE followed by participation of women in government and politics in the second section. The third section discusses the participation of women in military affairs. The fourth section discusses the involvement of the UAE women in education before summing up by considering the conclusions and suggestions on the matter of oppression of women in the UAE.

History of women in the UAE

Following the discovery of oil in the UAE, women roles in the society have been evolving. The history of the UAE’s women before 1960 was not encouraging. They were only involved in very limited opportunities related to familial roles and domestic work. However, this aspect does not imply that only the UAE’s women faced oppressed in comparison to the western nations’ women.

The difference between the evolution process for women rights in the US and the UAE is simply time. The US led in abolishing discrimination against women in the employment sector, education, and gave them suffrage rights in early 1920s. In the case of the UAE, president Zayed bin Sulatn Al Nahyan raised the issue for the relevance of ensuring incorporation of women in the labor force. Even after his death, this commitment never ended.

New Economic Foundation (2013) supports this assertion by informing that Zayed’s wife, “Sheikha Fatima, heads the Women’s Federation and promotes training, education, and the advancement of the status of women” (p.131). Protection and promotion of rights of women has been a major concern among the UAE citizens as evidenced by the presence of 5women organizations created to advance issues relevant to women including health and literacy in early 1990s.

By 1988, the involvement of women in formal employment sector had started to rise and it settled at 6.2 percent. Study conducted by the Institute for Administrative Development in 1998 indicated that a vast number of these women served in the Ministry of Health coupled with the Ministry of Education (New Economic Foundation, 2013).

Eighty-two percent of all employees in the two ministries were women by 1988. Since education is an important factor determining successful recruitment of an employee in any formal job, this significant number of women in health and education ministries in 1998 evidences inaccurateness of the perception that women in the UAE are oppressed in terms of access to education.

This argument is even substantive by considering that in late 1980s and 1990s, “women out numbered men by a ratio of two to one at the United Arabs Emirates University” (Mayer et al., 2007, p.19). The sheer number of female graduates implies higher ratio of absorption rates in the formal employment sector.

Culture and taboos comprise essential aspects that have justified denial of certain rights to women in all nations across the world. For instance, in the US in the18th century, women were denied suffrage rights on the grounds of inferiority in making good voting decisions (Mayer et al., 2007). Although, similar culture may have existed in the UAE, there has occurred sporadic alteration to traditional conservative culture denying women some rights and privileges in the society.

One of the most pragmatic changes encompasses the transformation of gender-related roles over the last forty years. According to New Economic Foundation (2013), the UAE government now describes women as essential partners and contributors to the collective development and growth of the Emirate societies through active involvement in nation building (p.132). Youngblood (2013) amplifies this argument by asserting that the “UAE aims to establish a new benchmark for gender empowerment in the region” (p.9).

The UAE further committed itself in the preservation and protection of women rights through signing of the UN pact on elimination of “all forms of discrimination against women” (Youngblood, 2013, p.10).

Consequently, women have travel rights without being accompanied by male guardians, right to drive all kinds of motor vehicles, and equal rights to access education. Compliance to these rights supersedes the soundness of the argument that the UAE discriminates against women by eroding their rights. The subsequent sections develop further this position.

Participation of women in politics and government

TheUAE appreciates the value and roles of women in political affairs. According to the Emirates 24/7 New (2013), in a statement made by the UAE minister for foreign affairs on June 2013, women are engaged in 30 percent of the top leadership positions charged with the processes of decision making coupled with active engagement in political coupled with civic life.

Currently, there are seven women in the FNC with two-thirds of the federal government comprised of women. Arguably, this ratio is one of highest in the world. There are four women serving in the federal cabinet. This incredible involvement of women in the political and civic life demystifies the myth that the UAE pursues policies encouraging oppression of women. The incorporation of women in politics started long time ago and in 2004, the first woman was appointed to serve in the cabinet as a minister.

Amid the criticisms offered by the International Federation of Human Rights (2010) on the degree of incorporation of women in politics, the federation appreciates that as of the end of 2009, “there were four women ministers and 2 female ambassadors” (p.5). Sheikha Najla Al Qasimi served as ambassador to the UAE in Sweden while Al Otaiba served as ambassador to the UAE in Spain.

Overall, government positions and public sector positions were occupied by 11.6 percent of women. This figure changed to 22 percent by 2005. The figure increased to 66 percent by 2007 (Sherifa, 2008). The 2006 parliamentary election saw the incorporation of one woman in the NFC. Later eight others were appointed into the council, which led to occupation of 22.5 percent of council membership by women.

A major argument raised by the International Federation of Human Rights (2010) is that the UAE forbids and interferes with operations of political parties hence posing challenges to engagement of women in politics through political parties (p.8). Although this argument is important considering the roles played by political parties in fostering democracy, it is important to note that prohibition of political parties does not imply discrimination or oppression of women.

It is not only political parties formed by women are prohibited as the policy applies equally to all parties whether established or dominated by male members or women members. Hence, the International Federation of Human Rights (2010) argument lacks solid evidence to support it in the extent that prohibition of political parties is not explained in terms of genders and sex preferences. The UAE remains committed to the exploration of policies that ensure equal participation of citizens in development politics (Sherifa, 2008).

One of the major impediments to development entails the presence of hostile political climate. When the political agenda in a nation is pursued from the basic block of resistance, as opposed using reason and logic in development of development policies, there is likelihoods that collective development of a nation and its citizens’ fails to occur. This aspect comprises the justification behind the restriction of shifting the mentality of the UAE citizens irrespective of their gender from the resistive mentality.

Participation of women in employment

All the UAE citizens have a right to access any type of employment without any form of hindrance. This fundamental right is anchored within the UAE’s constitution article 34. According to the International Federation of Human Rights (2010), the article provides that every “Emirati citizen has a right to choose freely his or her occupation, profession and/or trade (p.7). This article facilitates free involvement of all people in any employment sector across demographic differences including gender.

The labor laws for the UAE articles 27, 29, coupled with article 34 make provisions for conditions under which women should not work. According to the International Federation of Human Rights (2010), these conditions are working at night (10.00 pm- 7.00 am), under exposure to hazardous, morally detrimental and of physically injurious environment, and other kinds of jobs not approved by the UAE ministry of labor and social affairs (p.7). The question that emerges here is does this provision amount to oppression of women?

A more straightforward response to the above query is that in any jurisdiction or even under international labor laws, there are restrictions for the kind of working conditions under which different people are permitted to work.

The only remaining concern is on article 34 of the UAE’s labor laws, which restricts women from working without permission from a male guardian (New Economic Foundation, 2013, p.132). However, with signing of the UN pact on the elimination of ‘all forms of discrimination of women’, the UAE has nullified the application of the article.

Women are engaged in almost all types of employment. Currently, there are women serving as judges in the UAE. One of such woman is Kholoud Ahmed Juoan Al Dhaher. There is also a woman registrar (Fatima Saeed Obaid Al Awani). There has been historical criticism of the UAE women’s capacity to have an equal voice in matters of marriage disputes with men.

Critics deploy this historical concern to provide evidence in favor of the argument that those incidences of women oppression are prevalent in the UAE. However, with the appointment of women judges and women registrar, this argument is losing substance. There are now feelings and beliefs that justice on marriage issues are handled with desired gender sensitivity concerns.

There is also considerable distribution of women in different employment sectors and in professions traditionally predominantly believed to be men reserves. According to the New Economic Foundation (2013), 1 to 2 percent of executive positions in the UAE and about 20 percent of administrative positions are held by women (p.130).

Furthermore, 35 percent of the national workforce is constituted of women (Sherifa, 2008). Unfortunately, the number of women engaged in household jobs is remarkably high as compared to men. Sherifa (2008) puts this number at 80 percent of all people working in the UAE as household workers.

However, this aspect does not indicate that women are discriminated or oppressed in terms of employment. Household labor is also remunerated accordingly without prejudice based on the employees’ gender. Additionally, women graduates within the UAE find jobs in traditionally preconceived male professions such as engineering, law, commerce, jobs in the oil industry, and even in computer technology industries coupled with other science related fields.

In the Abu Dhabi security exchange, 43 percent of the total number of investors comprises women while businesswomen association of Abu Dhabi supports 14, 000 women (New Economic Foundation, 2013).

These women are essentially upcoming entrepreneurs. The increasing number of women engaged in both private sector and public sector employment in the UAE signifies the existence of an environment fostering growth of people from all demographic backgrounds without seclusion or limited inclusion, which is a fundamental attribute for oppression and discrimination.

Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan al Qasimi leads women in the forefront in the business arena following her appointment as the Economy and Planning Minister in 2004 (Sherifa, 2008, p.26). Later, she was promoted to serve in the Trade Ministry in the same capacity. Her foreign missions in the promotion of the UAE’s trade with other foreign nations have allowed her to secure a position in the Forbes magazines as one of the enormously powerful women.

By delegating various ministerial mandates to Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan al Qasimi, the UAE makes it clear to the critics on the roles of women in various employment sectors that even women can play equal roles in driving the success of nations and that oppression of women is a long gone historical injustice to women.

Participation of women in military

The involvement of women in the military is enough evidence that the UAE does not encourage women segregation and oppression. Youngblood (2013) supports this argument by further claiming that the most “significant accomplishment towards gender equality in the UAE, and even the region, is most visible through women’s participation in the military” (p.10). The Emirates War in 1991 raised the desire for women to take roles in defense of their motherland, which led to the establishment of Khawla bint Al Azwar College.

The college provides military skills to women within the Gulf region. In the college, women undergo similar trainings to those underwent by male counterparts serving in the armed forces. Although women acquire skills to take part in war in the capacity of fighter pilots, they are prohibited from taking part in the front line during combats (Youngblood, 2013). There is also the Dubai Police College, which trains women in protection of VIP.

Participation of women in education

TheUAE values the importance of educating women just as men. The New Economic Foundation (2013) states that in the UAE “the proportion of females in higher education has risen remarkably at a rate that has not been achieved in any other country in the world” (p.133).

The New Economic Foundation (2013) further argues that since 1994 to 2004 the number of women enrolled in the UAE universities doubled the number of male students. This progress was attained due to increased emphasis of education within the UAE families and at the state level.

The International Federation of Human Rights (2010) argues that the rise of the number of women enrolled in the UAE universities is not an indication of recognition of the value of educating people irrespective of their gender.

The basis of this argument is rested on the platform that the low number of men in the UAE universities is explained by the large number of men seeking education elsewhere across the world thus leaving behind women who are restricted from travelling without male guardians (International Federation of Human Rights, 2010, p.8).

It is important to note that although travel restrictions for women existed in the UAE, they have since been nullified following the commitment of the UAE to abide by the UN pacts on elimination of all forms of oppression of women, which implies that women have now equal rights to seek higher education in foreign nations with men.

Consideration of equal rights to education for both girl and boy child in the UAE yielded high literacy levels among the UAE women. In this context, Sherifa (2008) assert that the “ratio of literate females within the 15- to 24- year age group rose from 100.5% in 1990 to 110% in 2004, reaching 90% literacy overall in 2007” (p.31). Seven percent of women completing higher education proceed to the job market, which means that education acts as a tool for preparing both women and men for absorption in the job market.

Conclusion and suggestions

The purpose of this paper was to discuss and refute the perception held by western stereotypes that the Middle East societies oppress women. This goal was accomplished through supporting arguments drawing evidence from the embracement and permission of women to participate in politics, employment, equal access to education, and taking part in military affairs.

Although the paper identified some scenarios in which the UAE’s legal frameworks prohibit the involvement of women in some kinds of work, the paper noted that such prohibitions are not an indication of women oppression. Even in other nations, apart from the Middle East, labor laws makes provisions for condition under which particular groups of people should work akin to demographical differences in tolerance abilities.

Based on the above argument, the paper suggests that it is sufficiently sound enough to conclude that opposed to the western stereotypical perceptions that the Middle East nations, including the UAE, pursue policies encouraging oppression of women, there is a sufficient evidence to prove invalidity of the perception.

Although there might be remaining challenges to reception of women in various leadership positions within the UAE society, due to the traditional conservative mindset on gender roles, a further suggestion is that creation of awareness of equality in abilities of women to those of men may enhance better integration of women in leadership.

At the national level, full implementation and compliance to the UN pacts on elimination of all forms of oppression of women can incredibly aid in full participation of women in politics and civic affairs of the UAE. The UAE government has expressed its total commitment to the pacts, which eliminates any doubt that there is any hidden agenda to pursue policies encouraging women oppression in the UAE.

Reference List

Emirates 24/7 New. (2013). UAE Has one of Strongest Human Rights Records in the Region. Web.

International Federation of Human Rights. (2010). Women’s Right in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE). Web.

Mayer, G., Sonleitner, N., & Woodridge, G. (2007). Next Step: From Internship to Work Place Participation in the United Arabs Emirates. Arab Studies Quarterly, 7(1), 12-16.

New Economic Foundation. (2013). Social overview: status of women. United Arabs Emirates Review, 1(1), 130-133.

Sherifa, Z. (2008). Women and empowerment in the Arab world. Arab Studies Quarterly, 25(4), 17-38.

Youngblood, C. (2013). Political Overview: Political A Conditions. United Arabs Emirates Review, 1(2), 8-15.