Strategy based on four key pillars to achieve the Establishment’s vision and objectives through various world-class initiatives

•  Launch coincides with DWE’s 10th anniversary
•  Manal bint Mohammed: The strategic plan will play an important role in DWE’s continued efforts to promote the vital contribution of Emirati women in shaping the UAE’s economic and social future, enhancing the level of female participation across various sectors, and boosting the UAE’s competitiveness on a global level.
• Mona Al Marri: The new strategic plan builds on DWE’s achievements over the past ten years and will help us to continue enhancing the status of Emirati women, strengthening their role in decision-making positions, and supporting the UAE government’s vision of achieving gender balance, by incorporating innovation into our mission and corporate values.
• Shamsa Saleh: The launch of our five-year strategy is another important milestone in DWE’s successful history, serving as a catalyst for new ideas and approaches which will help the UAE to seize new opportunities as it embarks upon the next phase in its national agenda.

Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and UAE Minister of Presidential Affairs, has launched Dubai Women Establishment’s new strategic plan for 2017-2021. In line with DWE’s vision and objectives, the strategic plan will serve as the foundation for the next phase in the Establishment’s ongoing work to enhance the participation of Emirati women in social, economic and political fields, and their influence across various sectors.

The strategic plan (2017-2021) is built on four key pillars, each of which features a number of pioneering initiatives designed to support DWE’s mission and goals for the next five years. The four pillars include Catalyst for Change – providing recommendations to shape policies and developing new initiatives to enhance the participation of Emirati women across the workforce; Research and Knowledge Hub – involving in-depth research and studies, data profiling and knowledge exchange to drive the engagement of Emirati women across various fields and sectors; Representation and Strategic Partnerships - fostering strategic partnerships across the public and private sectors and to increase the representation of Emirati women through integrated, high-impact initiatives; and Development and Capacity Building – developing customised, interactive programmes with leading institutions across the world to enhance the skills and capabilities of Emirati women, and foster the next generation of women leaders.

HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "The launch of the new strategic plan for DWE comes as we celebrate a decade of progress for the Establishment. During the past ten years, DWE has achieved significant milestones, which will be built upon even further in a new chapter of achievements and institutional excellence, based on the highest international standards.”

HH added, “The strategy has been developed in line with the key objectives of the UAE’s strategic plans to promote a culture of innovation throughout the nation, and will support DWE’s continued efforts to promote the vital contribution of Emirati women in shaping the UAE’s economic and social future, enhancing the level of female participation across various sectors, and boosting the UAE’s competitiveness on a global level.”

Praising the efforts of DWE’s management and employees, HH Sheikha Manal concluded: “We are very proud of what we’ve achieved in enhancing the representation of Emirati women across various industries. DWE has played an important role in Dubai’s ongoing success story, by highlighting women in leadership and reducing the gender gap, and through our ongoing efforts in supporting key national priorities such as youth, happiness and innovation.”

HE Mona Al Marri, Chairperson of the Board of Dubai Women Establishment, said: “By incorporating innovation into our corporate values and mission, the strategic plan will help us to continue enhancing the status of Emirati women, strengthening their role in decision-making positions, and supporting the UAE government’s vision of achieving gender balance. The successful implementation of DWE’s plan also requires the establishment of strategic partnerships and alliances across the private sector and with government agencies at a local and federal level.”

HE Al Marri, added: “We firmly believe that Dubai is a place where nothing is impossible, and Emirati women have an important part to play in the continued success and development of the Emirate. Building on our achievements, our long-term strategic vision will continue to provide Emirati women with the right tools, capabilities and opportunities to achieve their goals. We’re looking forward to supporting the aspirations of more talented women in the years to come.”

HE Mona Al Marri highlighted that the strategic plan has been developed as a result of meetings and brainstorming sessions involving DWE leaders and employees as well as a number of strategic partners and target groups.

HE Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment, said: “We are committed to further establishing DWE as a research and knowledge hub, which implements best practices in enhancing women’s participation, excellence and leadership. The launch of our five-year strategy is another important milestone in DWE’s successful history, serving as a catalyst for new ideas and approaches which will help the UAE to seize new opportunities as it embarks upon the next phase in its national agenda.”

HE Saleh added: “Through adopting best practices, and supporting amendments to existing policies regarding women in the workforce, we can pave the way for further participation amongst Emirati women at all levels, by unlocking new opportunities through collaboration, encouraging women to pursue studies in targeted industries, conducting research to gain insights into their needs and challenges and establishing a conducive work environment which attracts and retains female talent.”

Key pillars of the strategic plan (2017-2021)

Catalyst for Change
DWE is striving to act as a catalyst for change, providing recommendations to shape policies which promote women's participation in the labour market and encourage Emirati women to find fulfilment across multiple roles. This can be achieved in a number of ways, such as the introduction and implementation of alternative work arrangements including flexible hours, to foster a more conducive workplace environment for women. DWE will continue to conduct analytical studies and present them to concerned parties, as proposals and recommendations to promote the role of women in the workforce.

Research and Knowledge Hub
The second pillar of the strategic plan will build on DWE’s position as a research and knowledge hub, locally, regionally and internationally. DWE is implementing the latest methodologies to identify as well as analyse the needs and barriers facing women in the workplace through in-depth research, data profiling and the exchange of knowledge. These insights will also support the establishment of a gender-friendly work environment which both attracts and retains talented Emirati women. In May, DWE will issue a new report based on this research, entitled “Emirati Women and the Labour Market: The Power of Choice”.
 
Representation and Strategic Partnerships
As part of its long-term strategic vision and values, DWE is continuing to foster collaboration and engagement with partners across the private and public sectors to support the development of innovative initiatives which will enhance the capabilities of Emirati women and strengthen their position in society. These strategic partnerships will also raise awareness about the range of career options available to women, whilst encouraging more women to participate in the workforce. This will in turn promote the role of Emirati women in shaping the future of the Emirate, and enhance their representation on an international level. 

Development and Capacity Building
In line with the latest trends, DWE is continuing to proactively introduce disruptive, interactive and customised programs to help women develop their skills across various sectors, in collaboration with renowned institutions. DWE is consistently striving to provide new platforms for female leaders, through training programs and professional development courses that encourage as well as prepare women to take on leadership positions in economic and political sectors.

From May 6 to 13, 2017, DWE will be facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences on sustainable leadership, as well as the latest findings in this fields from the perspective of “Disruptive Innovation”, as part of its Innovative Leadership Program, to be held in collaboration with the prestigious Ashridge-Hult International Business School in the UK. The program will be held line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, to empower women in decision-making positions and foster a promising generation of future leaders.