VZCZCXRO9302
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHAD #1124/01 2801314
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 061314Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1535
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 001124 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD AND G/IWI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SCUL SOCI AE
SUBJECT: UAE WOMEN SHATTERING STEREOTYPES 
 
Sensitive but unclassified. 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary:  The UAE takes pride in noting that the prominent 
roles women play in UAE society defy traditional stereotypes of women 
in the Arab world.  A series of recent appointments of women to high 
profile positions is seen as testaments to progressiveness of the 
country's leadership as well as attempts to normalize women's 
presence in more aspects of Emirati society.  With the first ever 
appointment of female ambassadors, women making their way in national 
politics, and women defying the roles traditionally prescribed to 
them in business, today's UAE women face choices starkly different 
from their mothers a generation ago when the country was born.  That 
said, they also face some societal barriers quite familiar to their 
aunts and grandmothers.  End summary. 
 
UAEG report reminds of female progress 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) A report on women in the UAE, just released by the 
government, highlights the progress women have made in the country. 
In the words of the authors, "The report stems out of a conviction 
that the women of the UAE are truly a success story to be celebrated. 
 Despite the many preconceptions and stereotypes with regards to 
women in the Arab world, the lives of women in the UAE illustrate 
that such stereotypes do not necessarily apply in this country." 
The successes of women have also been highlighted in a media campaign. 
 
¶3.  (U) One of the most revealing statistics regarding women's 
progress is in academic achievements.  Women in the UAE constitute 
70% of the country's university graduates (from domestic universities 
in the UAE).  In fact, according to the 2008 UAE Yearbook, only 29 
Emirati women between the ages of 25 and 29 held university degrees 
30 years ago -- today, 16,100 (out of approximately 41,000) women in 
the same age group are university graduates, and those figures are 
rising by the year.  Although universities remain segregated along 
gender lines, women are actively encouraged to pursue academic 
achievement with no restrictions on their courses of study.  2008 has 
seen Emirati women blazing trails into traditionally male dominated 
fields like flying -- this year, the UAE produced both a female 
Boeing pilot and a female Airbus pilot.  In sports, another male 
dominated arena, the UAE sent female athletes, including Maitha Al 
Maktoum, the daughter of the Crown Prince of Dubai, to the 2008 
Beijing Olympics.  In line with the country's growing prominence on 
the financial stage, women contributed AED 25 billion (USD 6.8 
billion) in investments to the UAE economy. 
 
Two female ambassadors -- a UAE first 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) On September 15, the first two female ambassadors in the 
country's history were appointed: Dr. Hissa Abdallah Al Otaibah, a 
PhD in Business Management, is the new Ambassador to Spain and 
Sheikha Najla Mohammed Salem Al Qassimi, a career diplomat (since 
2002), is the newly appointed Ambassador to Sweden.  At a Ramadan 
evening event hosted by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed on 
September 16, the day after the appointments were announced, EmbOffs 
observed that women attending the event were abuzz over the new 
appointments.  Sheikha Al Qassimi made a positive impression on those 
around her, including Minister of State Reem al-Hashemi, a recent 
addition to the cabinet and broadly respected for her contribution. 
The following night one participant excitedly recalled that she had 
stayed up talking late into the night at the palace with the new 
ambassadorial appointee, who was clearly seen as yet another pioneer 
in the UAE's march towards greater female participation.  In fact, 
the number of women at this traditionally male event (a lecture 
followed by a late evening meal) was another indication of the 
inroads being made in Emirati society.  At another Ramadan event on 
September 24, EmbOffs found the buzz surrounding Ambassador Al 
Qassimi's appointment had far from abated, with women still excitedly 
expressing their genuine delight and pride at her appointment.  In 
one indication of shifting societal norms, al Qassimi told EmbOff 
that her own mother had been "shocked" by her appointment, only 
recognizing the honor when the congratulations poured in. 
 
Building on prior progress 
-------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) Women had started making their way in the public sector even 
before the appointment of the two ambassadors.  In 2006, Dr. Amal Al 
Qubaisi, elected by the Electoral College of Abu Dhabi, became the 
first woman in UAE history to win a seat on the 40-member Federal 
National Council (FNC).  The government also nominated eight other 
women to the FNC.  The UAE prides itself on the fact that the 
appointment of these women translates to a 22.5 percent share of 
parliamentary seats, which exceeds the world average of 17 percent 
female representation in similar chambers.  On February 17, two 
women, Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi and Dr. Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, were 
appointed as government ministers (each a Minister of State without 
portfolio), bringing the total number of female government ministers 
to four.  While the Federal Judicial Authority previously prohibited 
 
ABU DHABI 00001124  002 OF 002 
 
 
women from working as judges or public prosecutors, in January, Dubai 
appointed its first female judge and in March, Abu Dhabi followed 
suit.  These appointments in the two largest emirates are seen as 
precursors to an amendment to the Federal law. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Comment:  Some would argue that the appointments of female 
ambassadors, ministers, judges and FNC members are superficial forms 
of affirmative action.  Optics are no doubt a key factor, but the UAE 
leadership also seems to grasp the need to normalize the 
participation of women in the development of society.  Demographics 
in a country where the UAE national population is under 20% of total 
residents makes it imperative that the female half of that local 
population be encouraged to participate -- especially in government 
positions which call for citizenship as a criteria for employment. 
With such a small pool, more nationals are also needed in the work 
force generally.  Encouraging employment for the spouses of resident 
expatriates also injects more personnel into the labor market without 
increasing the number of foreign families.  Women offered the 
creative outlet of meaningful employment bring a valuable perspective 
into the marketplace that has clear economic benefits.  Surprise 
expressed by foreigners at the strides that women have made in the 
country is often met with amusement by young Emirati women for whom 
the rising status of women is increasingly normal. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Comment continued:  Time will tell whether the increased 
prominence of women has staying power and will continue to expand 
into decision making circles in more walks of life.  Women have no 
expectation of competing with the rulers of the various emirates in a 
society in which the ruler has the final say.  Women still face 
societal and legal challenges in combating domestic abuse, 
transmitting citizenship to their children, inheritance rights, 
freedom to marry non-Muslims, and (in some families) foreign travel 
without the consent of male relatives.  Many women find promotions 
hard to come by in their companies (although some have taken over 
family businesses in the absence of a brother to assume that role). 
Time will also tell how newfound roles may alter the national 
identity -- and the family roles of women who find it harder to fit 
marriage into their plans.  More unmarried women would mean less 
future Emirati nationals to staff the work force.  End comment. 
 
OLSON