UAE hosts workshop on advancing gender pay equity

The UAE Gender Balance Council, in partnership with the World Bank, hosted a workshop titled “Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value” on June 19, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote women’s economic inclusion and close gender pay gaps across sectors, WAM reported.

Held under the UAE Gender Balance Centre of Excellence and Knowledge Exchange, the workshop brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization, private sector leaders, and global experts.

Discussions focused on practical tools, legal frameworks, and job evaluation methods to advance pay equity and build fairer workplaces.

The June 19 workshop was held shortly after the GCC Knowledge Exchange Workshop (June 17–18), which gathered policymakers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the World Bank to explore regional strategies for women’s empowerment and fair pay."

Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, highlighted the UAE’s pioneering steps in gender pay legislation, including equal pay laws for the public sector in 2019 and private sector reforms in 2020. She emphasized the importance of embedding gender balance into national development and fostering collaboration across sectors to drive long-term impact.

Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the Council, noted that the workshop marked another milestone in turning policy into progress. She cited the UAE’s top regional ranking in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law report and its recognition in various global gender equality indices as evidence of sustained commitment.

Mouza Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the Council, reaffirmed that gender balance is a pillar of the UAE’s national vision and stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration to narrow pay disparities. Private sector leaders also shared best practices aimed at closing gender pay gaps within their organizations.

Iva Hamel, World Bank Resident Representative to the UAE and Bahrain, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to achieving fair and competitive labor markets. She emphasized the need for both policy and implementation to drive meaningful change.

The event aimed to equip employers with practical tools to ensure equitable compensation and build inclusive, high-performing workplaces.