UAE takes pleasure in its efforts to empower women, notably in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), in coincidence with Emirati Women’s Day, celebrated on August 28.
Established in 2015 by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, Emirati Women’s Day honors the achievements and contributions of the nation’s female population.
One milestone to celebrate this year is that 61 percent of STEM graduates in the UAE are women, a notable contrast to the 57 percent average across the Arab world, according to UNESCO.
This statistic underscores the UAE’s aspirations to close the gender gap in STEM education, setting a global example for other nations to follow.
In 2023, the worldwide gender gap in STEM remains stark, with women comprising only 28 percent of the workforce. The numbers are concerning even in technologically advanced regions: only 24 percent in the US, 17 percent in the EU, 16 percent in Japan, and a mere 14 percent in India, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Yet the UAE stands out for its success in advancing women in the study of these fields.
Supporting girls in entering STEM fields involves a multifaceted effort with educational institutions, organizations, and the broader community.
Nargish Khambatta, principal of Gems Modern Academy in Dubai, said Gems Education has been promoting Stem teaching for over a decade.
