ADNOC held an event to mark the UAE’s 9th annual Emirati Women’s Day, at which HE Dr Maitha bint Salam Al Shamsi, Minister of State, delivered a speech on behalf of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation,” chairwoman of the General Womens Union (GWU), president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and supreme chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF)
HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak highlighted the importance of Emirati Women’s Day for the people of the UAE, as it reflects the leadership’s commitment to empowering and supporting women and appreciating their role as key partners in driving progress and development in the country.
Her Highness noted that this year’s Emirati Women’s Day is held under the theme “We Collaborate for Tomorrow” and coincides with the Year of Sustainability, when the UAE will host COP28. She noted the need to develop sustainable solutions to climate challenges, raise awareness of and expand the culture of sustainability. Her Highness stressed the important role of Emirati women in this regard, given their proven contribution in several pioneering initiatives across economic and social development as well as in environmental protection.
His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group CEO of ADNOC said, “We are proud to celebrate the achievements of Emirati women and recognise their important role in enabling sustainable economic and social progress in the country. ADNOC is committed to empowering women and supporting them to build successful careers while maintaining work-life balance and delivering on their family and societal responsibilities.
“Across our operations, women are firmly established in technical and leadership positions, based on merit, and they are playing key roles in ADNOC’s ongoing transformational journey to a lower carbon future. As a responsible global energy provider, ADNOC continues to drive gender diversity and we are pleased to be signing the SDG 5 Pledge to Accelerate Gender Balance in the UAE and partnering with the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development to support our employees to thrive and promote a healthy balance between work and family life.”
ADNOC will accelerate efforts to ensure equal pay, promote gender-equitable recruitment and promotion, further embed a gender balance perspective in the company’s policies and programmes and enhance transparency through effective reporting. In addition, it will launch an “Energy for Wellbeing” strategy and collaborate with Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development to foster work-life balance amongst its employees, strengthen their family bonds and enable them actively to participate in building a more cohesive society.
Women comprise around 37% of all UAE nationals recruited so far this year at ADNOC. Female representation has increased by 32% since 2017 and women occupy 20% of senior leadership positions across ADNOC Group. ADNOC is aiming to achieve 25% female representation in technical positions by 2030.
Also on Emirati Women’s Day, HH Mubarak launched the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in the UAE for the years 2023-2031 with three main guides: establishing interdependent, cohesive and supportive families to enhance the role of women in society; integration of women in the labour market and future sectors; and developing capacities and enhancing future skills of women.
The main enablers include developing the legislative and regulatory environment that supports and enables women's quality of life, and strengthening institutional work and partnerships at the national and international levels.
