The UAE has been ranked number 1 globally when it comes to female representation in parliament. Fifty per cent of the UAE’s 40-member Federal National Council are women.

This is just one of 23 indicators in which the UAE leads the world according to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2020, which is issued by the World Competitiveness Centre of the World Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Overall, the country is the 9th most competitive in the world. For the fourth year in a row, the UAE leads the Mena region as the most competitive in the yearbook.

On Tuesday, Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and President of Dubai Women Establishment, took to Twitter to congratulate the country for the achievement.

“Proud of the UAE ranking No. 1 globally in highest female representation in parliament,” she tweeted. “ This achievement is an international celebration of the position held by Emirati women, and reflects the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership.

“We also congratulate Emirati women on their achievements & advances. This recognition is proof of their pivotal role as active partners on our path to global competitiveness. The UAE’s model example of championing gender balance is respected and appreciated globally.”