Women often face a different set of obstacles than men do in the workplace. Paid maternity leave is a big issue for many women, but those who work in the UAE government have less to worry about.
Dubai’s Crown Prince, HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced that women in government jobs would receive 90 days of maternity leave starting on March 1.
Women working in the public sector already had 60 days of paid leave, so this is a hefty boost. Women with special needs children or other medical conditions are included, getting some extra time off to take care of their child.
The change won’t go unnoticed. Though women entered the workforce only 30 years ago, they take up 66 percent of government jobs. They also have 30 percent of decision-making positions in the public sector.
For women working in the private sector, this change could be the beginning of something good – Omnicom Media Group MEN and Dubizzle upped their maternity leave to 90 days after pressure from employees.
Within the government, this is just the latest of a series of steps towards a more inclusive environment for women at work. The UAE Gender Balance Council was created in 2015 to push for a greater role for women in building the nation’s future.
“The impact of a significant female presence in leadership roles has wide-ranging benefits on the economy, on governance, and on society at large,” said Sheikha Manal, chair of the GBC, in a speech. “The UAE has always worked to dismantle barriers that create tension between the genders. We have a great opportunity to uncover new paths that we may walk on together.”
More women are being seen in the government’s cabinet as well. After welcoming the new female ministers, Sheikha Manal.tweeted that women now account for 27.5 percent of the cabinet.
