Abstract

From a global and historical perspective, women’s political participation has progressed slowly. Even in many progressive societies, women continue to lag behind in achieving equal representation in politics. However, over the past few decades, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as an inspiring model for the Arab world due to its achievements in empowering women in the political arena. Since its founding in 1971, the UAE has made significant strides in advancing women’s political participation, positioning itself as a regional model for inclusive political representation. This paper examines the historical trajectory of women’s political participation in the UAE, from the appointment of its first female minister in 2004 to the achievement of gender parity in the parliament in 2019. It will highlight the interconnected role of leadership, public policies, and legislation in driving this progress. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges Emirati women continue to face in political decision-making, particularly societal norms and cultural expectations, and explores opportunities to further their political representation and inclusion in governance.