HH Sheikh Mohammed made the announcement.

He said in December that gender balance was a national priority, and now HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced the first stage of an equal pay law in the UAE.

The UAE’s cabinet endorsed a bill ensuring equal pay for men and women on Tuesday, the Dubai Media Office said via Twitter.

Read:
HH Sheikh Mohammed: Gender balance is a ‘national priority’
Sheikh Mohammed helps promote equality at gender balance workshop

“With the strength and rule of the law, we do not want any exceptions in providing equal opportunities for both sexes,” said the Ruler of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, according to The National.

“Our Constitution ensures equal rights among the sexes and we seek to enforce and guarantee this right through the new law.”

Last year, it was announced that the UAE was aiming to be one of the world’s top 25 countries for gender equality by 2021.

gender balance council awards

During a December awards ceremony, HH Sheikh Mohammed said “gender balance is an important element of the national agenda”, according to Dubai Media Office. He added that the UAE “considers both women and men as equal partners in national development.”

“Emirati men and women have always, and will continue to serve our country equally, inspired by the strong UAE culture of gender equality established by the late Sheikh Zayed,” Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter the same day.

We’ll keep you updated as further details of the bill are released.

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Images: Dubai Media Office