The newly restructured council, chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will report directly to the UAE Cabinet and is tasked with proposing, reviewing, and coordinating national policies, legislation, and strategies that support gender balance across all sectors.

The move is aimed at ensuring equal participation of all community members in the country’s development journey while aligning with national priorities related to family, motherhood, and social cohesion.

The council’s expanded mandate includes monitoring international reports, suggesting improvements, building a comprehensive national gender database, conducting specialised research on global trends, and representing the UAE in regional and international forums on gender equality.

The council’s vice president is Mona Ghanem Al Marri, with members including high-ranking officials from ministries such as Finance, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Community Development, and Human Resources, as well as leaders from women- and child-focused institutions.