Gender Roles In The UAE

Kinship and gender roles are some of the highly emphasized things in the Islamic society like the one in the UAE and therefore women live in a patriarchal society that is family-based. This makes it difficult for women in the UAE to enter the paid workforce. In an attempt to modernize, most Gulf States such as the UAE face a lot of challenges especially when it comes to the issue of female employment. The level of participation of women in paid employment is still very low despite the fact that there are many indications that the national women in the UAE should actually be enjoying a high level of participation. According to my and others’ own personal views, it is noticeable that culture makes it difficult for women in the UAE to enter the

Work opportunities for women are also constrained by efforts to separate men and women for moral reasons. The cultural inappropriateness of traveling with men or meeting clients in restaurants makes it difficult for women in the UAE to fulfill their job responsibilities. Jobs that require a high degree of interaction with men are in most cases avoided by women because they view them as culturally inappropriate. The situation is very different when it comes to the public sector where the UAE government has set aside separate working places for men and women (Gallant & Pounder, 2008). The sense of masculine pride is also hurt because men that allow their women to go to work are always seen as unable to support their families. In some instances, women may attract community criticism for the simple reason of being employed. In a country like UAE, men demonstrate their ability to provide a better life for their families by not allowing their wives to work. Most men do not allow their wives and sisters to work but publicly claim that women should

Supportive legislation is the only way women can get an equal opportunity to participate in paid employment like men. Statements from government leaders in support of the existing legislation can go a long way in making women to feel more comfortable when it comes to participation in paid employment. In addition, special needs for women such as maternity leave should be provided in the UAE laws.

Education and skills The UAE women should take advantage of the many education opportunities that the government has made available for women. There are many learning opportunities in the private sector apart from those that are fully subsidized by the government. Thus, educated girls have become preferred marriage prospects in UAE because of the ever increasing demand for higher family incomes (Gallant & Pounder, 2008). Educated girls in high status careers have become positive role models for young girls. Furthermore, the introduction of mixed gender classes in institutions of higher learning can also help a great deal in balancing the classroom dynamics.

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