The UAE Gender Balance Council has opened a nationwide public survey to gather input for its 2027–2031 strategy, seeking diverse perspectives on economic participation, caregiving, technology, and quality of life.
The survey, announced August 15, 2026, invites all UAE citizens and residents—men and women across all seven emirates—to share their experiences and aspirations. Responses will directly inform the country’s next gender balance roadmap, building on a decade of progress that has placed the UAE among global leaders in closing gender gaps. The questionnaire takes less than 10 minutes, is available in Arabic and English, and guarantees anonymity.
Why This Survey Matters Now
The new strategy arrives at a moment of rapid global change. The UAE’s Gender Balance Council is looking beyond current statistics to anticipate how artificial intelligence, shifting labor markets, evolving caregiving roles, and economic transformations will reshape opportunities for women and men. Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Council, emphasized that the country’s “remarkable success in promoting gender equality sets the stage for still greater ambitions.”
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the Council, framed the effort as forward-looking: “The question guiding the development of the new strategy is not defined by where we stand today, but how we prepare now for the changes that will reshape the years ahead.”
What the Survey Covers
The questionnaire explores five core areas:
- Economic participation and career development
- Financial security and independence
- Social care responsibilities and quality of life
- Future skills and readiness
- Impact of technology, AI, and economic shifts on career paths
These topics reflect the Council’s recognition that gender balance intersects with broader societal and technological trends. By collecting lived experiences alongside hard data, officials aim to develop priorities that are both evidence-based and grounded in daily reality.
How Responses Will Be Used
Mouza Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the Council, explained that “numbers and indicators provide us with a distinct part of the picture, while listening to people’s experiences adds an equally important dimension.” Survey results will be integrated with stakeholder consultations, expert analysis, and institutional data to produce a comprehensive strategy.
The process deliberately seeks participation from people of different ages, professions, and life stages across all emirates. “We are working to broaden the base of insights we draw upon and comprehend diverse experiences,” Al Suwaidi added.
Broader Context and Next Steps
The 2027–2031 strategy will replace the current UAE Gender Balance Strategy, which has already helped the country rank first in the Middle East and North Africa region on the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index. Officials say the next phase will focus on sustaining that leadership while unlocking new opportunities tied to the future economy.
“We want the strategy to reflect the country’s ambitions, keep pace with rapid global transformations, and open new horizons for talent,” Sheikha Manal said.
Residents and citizens can participate in the survey at the official link: https://sapience.survey-research.net/GBC-Insta?lang=en. The Council expects to publish findings and the draft strategy in early 2027, with implementation beginning later that year.
For more on the UAE’s gender balance initiatives, visit the Council’s official portal or explore the country’s rankings on global gender parity reports.