Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a prominent Emirati leader who has dedicated her career to women's empowerment, gender equality, humanitarian efforts, and the enrichment of children's artistic and cultural education. As President of the UAE Gender Balance Council since its inception in 2015, she has successfully advocated for women in the UAE, aiming to reduce gender gaps across all sectors and increasing the UAE's global competitiveness in gender equality, aligning with the principles of the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
In her role as President of the Dubai Women Establishment since 2006, Her Highness has been instrumental in enhancing women's professional and leadership skills. Key achievements include an increase in female representation on public shareholding companies' boards, the launch of the National Project for Nurseries in 2009, and hosting the Global Women’s Forum in 2016 and 2020.
At the national level, Her Highness has presided over a transformative gender balance agenda in the UAE, and built partnerships with countries around the world and leading global organizations including the World Economic Forum and World Bank, through which the UAE serves as an expert knowledge partner. Over 20 legal reforms have led to more women in leadership roles in the private sector, greater labor law protections, and an enhancement of personal status rights.
Furthermore, Sheikha Manal's dedication to humanitarian and charitable work is evident in her launch of the "Humanitarian Initiative" in 2013. This initiative underscores the importance of Emirati values, covering humanitarian, educational, health, and cultural aspects both domestically and internationally, emphasizing her commitment to positive global impact.”