Dubai:The UAE Gender Balance Council held a ceremony in Dubai to honor the winners of the inaugural SDG 5 Pledge Awards. These awards, initiated last year by H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, recognize organizations for implementing effective gender balance policies, practices, and initiatives.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was attended by Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family; Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council; and Mouza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, alongside representatives from both public and private sectors. The ceremony was hosted at One and Only One Za'abeel.
The awards featured four main categories. Standard Chartered UAE was awarded the 'Champions of Gender Balance in Policies Award,' Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) received the 'Pioneer of Women's Leadership Representation Award,' Schneider Electric won the 'Exemplary Initiative Advancing Gender Balance Award,' and Deloitte Middle East was honored with the 'Family-Focused Employer of the Year Award.'
H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed highlighted the UAE's commitment to gender balance as a national priority and a vital component of its development strategy. She emphasized the leadership's vision of investing in people and enabling everyone to contribute to the nation's progress, noting significant achievements in women's participation across sectors and in leadership roles.
The event also welcomed eight new national and international organizations to the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) Pledge. This initiative, spearheaded by the UAE Gender Balance Council, aims to promote women's full participation and equal opportunities in leadership and decision-making roles within the private sector. The new signatories include Veolia, Publicis Groupe Middle East, WPP, Epson, Havas, Stephenson Harwood, Augustus Media, and Advertising Business Group.
Sana bint Mohammed Suhail emphasized the importance of family-friendly work environments in enhancing quality of life and supporting workforce participation. She noted the UAE's progress in gender balance aligns with the leadership's vision and the objectives of the We the UAE 2031 vision, which includes increasing women's participation and ensuring equal opportunities.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri commented on the growing private sector involvement in the SDG 5 Pledge, highlighting its role in strengthening workplaces and business sustainability through diverse talent. She stressed the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange within this initiative.
The program also featured a panel discussion focusing on organizational commitments to gender balance, practical measures, and the importance of data and indicators in tracking progress. The discussion addressed the integration of gender balance within broader talent development strategies and the preparation for future labor market needs.