The Federal National Council is a vital cog in the UAE’s system of governance. The body consults on federal draft laws, discusses international treaties and summons ministers for questioning. Most importantly, it gives a voice to the citizens of all seven emirates. Therefore, it is crucial that it is representative of the nation’s society. That is why UAE President Sheikh Khalifa last year approved a plan to ensure 50 per cent of the FNC is female.
As The National reported, Emirati women are now being urged to run for seats ahead of elections in October. Once they do, the UAE will join the likes of Rwanda, Bolivia and Cuba on the list of countries with the highest proportion of female representatives sitting in their parliaments. It is a fitting goal for a nation that has long prioritised gender equality – and one that will be achieved.
Women are playing an increasingly central role in the UAE, as a new report from the International Labour Organisation last week highlighted. They occupy 66 per cent of government jobs and comprise 46 per cent of the workforce, up from 6.2 per cent in the 1980s. That is an extraordinary transformation and an indicator of the importance placed on female empowerment by the UAE's rulers. Indeed, just before Sheikh Khalifa's FNC directive was issued last year, the government outlined plans to encourage more women to enter the judiciary and diplomatic corps.
As women now play leading roles in the public and private sectors – in fields as diverse as law, medicine and engineering – the Government recognises that politics is no different. In addition to the nine female ministers who currently sit in the UAE cabinet, equal representation on the FNC is the next logical step towards gender parity.
The UAE’s leadership has long prided itself on setting a valuable example for the rest of society, its priorities trickling down into everyday life. The rise in women on the FNC is born of a genuine desire for gender equality. All that is now required for this to be realised is for women from far and wide to come forward and leave their mark on the nation.
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Play-off fixtures
Two-legged ties to be played November 9-11 and November 12-14
- Northern Ireland v Switzerland
- Croatia v Greece
- Denmark v Ireland
- Sweden v Italy
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
HAJJAN
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The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
