COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN CONSIDERS REPORT OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has considered the initial report of the United Arab Emirates on how that country implements the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Introducing the report, Reem Ebrahim Al Hashmy, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, said that what had been achieved in terms of women’s empowerment in the 38 years of existence of the United Arab Emirates could be considered, by all standards, as important progress. The period between 2004 and 2008 had notably carried with it considerable positive changes for women, particularly regarding national legislation and women’s empowerment, such as the accession of women to new fields of activity. Women’s membership in the Federal National Council and the Ministerial Cabinet, with the appointment of four women Ministers in the current Government, was but one example. The entry of women into the political arena was a qualitative turning point in the process of democratic action in the United Arab Emirates.

Ms. Al Hashmy highlighted that education was the most important way for the development of fully capable women and to enhance their role in society, and there was no doubt that the increased level of education and awareness among women had had a positive impact on the Government’s success in improving the health and social conditions of its population. As for social welfare, that was at the heart of the Government’s strategy, which, among others, aimed at granting widows and divorced women monthly financial assistance. Women also benefited from the opening of nurseries inside ministry buildings and public institutions. Further, thanks to the Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, a large number of institutions and associations dealing with women’s issues had been created with the aim of increasing women’s capacity in various areas. As for the Personal Status Law, Islamic Sharia was the basic reference in the provision of that law, and although the consent of the custodian was a prerequisite for the validity of marriage for women, the law established control over that issue to ensure women’s rights. Despite its reservations on certain articles of the Convention, the United Arab Emirates was working on its implementation to the extent that it was not contrary to its national legislation and its cultural heritage.

Questions and issues raised by Experts during the interactive discussion included whether there were any awareness-raising programmes on the human rights obligations stipulated in the Convention, targeting non-governmental organizations, women and police forces; what were the plans to review federal legislation to ensure conformity with the principles and norms of the Convention; if any steps had been taken to establish a National Human Rights Institution; if there had been any cases where women had claimed a remedy for violations of their rights in the courts; and whether there had been temporary special measures in the areas of women’s political participation and migrant women. Other concerns included the issue domestic violence, and whether it was prohibited by law; whether there were any training programmes to sensitize judicial and medical personnel on issues relating to gender-based violence; if non-citizens lesbians, and female sex workers received protection; and information on the extent of prostitution. The situation of domestic workers was a particular area of concern.

In concluding remarks, Ms. Al Hashmy said that this was the United Arab Emirates’ first report to the Committee and there was undoubtedly room for improvement. The United Arab Emirates appreciated the important work of the Committee, which would be integrated into the work of the Government in order to strengthen the role of women in the United Arab Emirates.

Also in some concluding observations, Naela Gabr, the Committee Chairperson, hoped that the United Arab Emirates would reconsider its reservations to several articles of the Convention, and that today’s discussion and the findings of the Committee would be published. She also hoped that there would be further collaboration between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and civil society, and that it continued its flexibility in interpreting Sharia.

Obaid Salem Saeed Al Zaabi, the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Office at Geneva, joined the delegation, which also included the director of Maternal and Child Health; the Director of Family Development; the Director of Legal Opinion of the Legislation Department; the Deputy Director of Research Activities; and the Manager of the Labour Licensing Department of Dubai; as well as representatives of the Judiciary; the Public Prosecutor’s Office; the Family Development Foundation; EWAA (the Centres for Sheltering Victims of Human Trafficking); the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Federal National Council; the Fatwa Consultancy Section; the Ministry of Labour; and the Ministry of Education of Egypt.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on Wednesday, 27 January at 10 a.m., when it will begin its consideration of the fifth periodic reports of the Netherlands (CEDAW/C/NLD/5).

Report of the United Arab Emirates

The initial periodic report of the United Arab Emirates (CEDAW/C/ARE/1) notes that the period from 2004 to 2008 witnessed momentous positive changes in favour of women in terms of national legislation. The United Arab Emirates strives to continue to develop national legislation and to strengthen rights to favour the integration of women into society and their positive participation in its building and development. With regard to institutions for the empowerment of women, the rate of female participation in higher education in the United Arab Emirates is one of the highest in the world, namely 95 per cent for female students, while the rate is 80 per cent for male students, in relation to secondary school. The United Arab Emirates has also been eager to encourage the entry of women into the labour market and careful not to place any restrictions on the jobs women might take. Indeed, in the current ministerial make-up there are four women ministers and women occupy other leadership posts in the Government. Recent statistics show that United Arab Emirates women participate in all federal ministries and predominate in some institutions. The country has also undergone a change with regard to the election of the members of the Federal National Council, opening the way for the political participation of women and granting them the opportunity to become members of the electoral college, which counts 1,189 women out of a total of 6,688 members. Women in the United Arab Emirates have also achieved considerable social gains, including the establishment of day-care centres in ministries and public institutions, allocation of housing for widowed and divorced women, and care of the disabled. In its commitment to the empowerment of women, the Government also encourages the establishment of women's associations and institutions that concern themselves with women's issues and work for the promotion of women and the enhancement of their skills in various fields.

Concerning measures undertaken towards implementation of the Convention, the State organizes symposiums and conferences aimed at changing the stereotyped image of women in the media. There are now a number of television and radio programmes and women's magazines that seek to highlight the role of women in society, pointing to their positive contributions. The Ministry of Education, too, works on developing study curricula that cast a favourable light on the idea of complementarity of men and women's social roles, helping to change the stereotypes regarding the role of women in society. As for equality before the law, the laws of the State of the United Arab Emirates do not distinguish among its citizens on grounds of sex and sometimes women's distinctive character is respected in what amounts to positive discrimination in their favour. Regarding marriage and family relations, the sharia honours women and makes the man responsible for the financial support of the woman, whether his wife, daughter, mother or sister, not requiring the wife to support either herself or her family. Furthermore, the Personal Status Act specifies the rights of the woman with respect to her husband: not to prevent her from completing her education; not to prevent her from visiting her ascendants, descendants and siblings; not to interfere with her personal property; and not to harm her either materially or morally.


Presentation of Report

REEM EBRAHIM AL HASHMY, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, introducing the report, said the Government of the United Arab Emirates had elaborated consistent strategic plans towards the development of a national legislation to ensure full integration of women’s rights and their positive participation in the country’s economic development. Those plans aimed to fulfil the Government’s vision of women’s equality and rights, which met the Government’s international obligations to implement the provisions of the Convention. Under the United Arab Emirates Constitution, the Convention had a binding legal force equal to national laws.

What had been achieved in terms of women’s empowerment in a period as short as 38 years, which was the time of the existence of the United Arab Emirates, could be considered, by all standards, as important progress, Ms. Al Hashmy underscored. The period between 2004 and 2008 had notably carried with it considerable positive changes for women, particularly regarding national legislation and women’s empowerment, such as the accession of women to new fields of activity. Women’s membership in the Federal National Council and the Ministerial Cabinet, with the appointment of four women Ministers in the current Government, was but one example. The entry of women into the political arena was a qualitative turning point in the process of democratic action in the United Arab Emirates, since women could assume leadership positions enabling them to give valuable input and advice in decision-making.

Ms. Al Hashmy highlighted that education was the most important way for the development of fully capable women and to enhance their role in society, and there was no doubt that the increased level of education and awareness among women had a positive impact on the Government’s success in improving the health and social conditions of its population. In matters of health services, the witnessed economic and social developments were sufficient to improve the health of individuals, including that of women. As to social welfare, that was at the heart of the Government’s strategy, which, among others, aimed at granting widows and divorced women monthly financial assistance. Women also benefited from the opening of nurseries inside ministry buildings and public institutions, and those meeting certain requirement were given free parcels of land equipped with the basic infrastructure. Further, thanks to the Government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, a large number of institutions and associations dealing with women’s issues had been created with the aim of increasing women’s capacity in various areas.

The United Arab Emirates also paid great attention to women in remote areas, through its development programmes that opened social development centres and ensured that services were provided to the largest possible segments of the population, Ms. Al Hashmy continued. Those centres provided care and social security, awareness-raising and care for women in those areas. The Ministry of Education had also participated in the promotion of these areas by opening schools for both males and females, and by promoting adult education to combat illiteracy. With regard to access to credit and agricultural credit, the law gave women the same rights as men if the agricultural land was registered in their name, and women also benefited from agricultural marketing programmes provided by the Government.

As for the Personal Status Law, Islamic Sharia was the basic reference in the provision of that law, and although the consent of the custodian was a prerequisite for the validity of marriage for women, the law established control over that issue to ensure women’s rights. Ms. Al Hashmy concluded by assuring the Committee that – despite its reservations on certain articles of the Convention – the United Arab Emirates was working on its implementation to the extent that it was not contrary to its national legislation and its cultural heritage.

Questions by Experts

Among questions and issues raised by Committee Experts were whether the legal system of the United Arab Emirates was dualist or monist (i.e. did separate legislation have to be enacted to domesticate the Convention); which constitutional article provided for equality between women and men; whether the Government had any plans to reconsider its reservations to specific articles to the Convention; what measures were taken to ensure that the Convention was well known, and that it also reached women in rural areas; whether there were any awareness-raising programmes on the human rights obligations stipulated in the Convention, targeting NGOs, women and police forces; and what were the plans to review the United Arab Emirates’ federal legislation to ensure conformity with the principles and norms of the Convention. Furthermore, Experts asked what steps been taken to establish a National Human Rights Institution; and whether there were any cases where women had claimed a remedy for alleged violations of their rights under the Convention in the courts. An Expert also noted that the scope of article 2 of the Convention included all women, but it was not fully clear whether the United Arab Emirates supported the full scope of that article.

Response by the Delegation

Responding, Ms. Al Hashmy, regarding the question on the awareness of the Convention among the population, said that the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the General Women’s Union had put together several training sessions targeting women, the police force, judges and public prosecutors, and that sensitization materials on relevant issues had been produced and disseminated. While there was still a long way to go in this regard, the Government was cognizant that it needed to keep improving to make understanding of the Convention as wide-ranging and deep as possible.

Giving further responses, the delegation said that the Convention was considered to be part and parcel of the legislation of the United Arab Emirates; legislative conventions were applied directly. On whether there were articles of the constitution on gender equality, the delegation said that there were in fact several articles dealing with this issue, including articles 24, 14, 26, 32, 29, 41, 16 and 17. As to the Human Rights Institute, there was a draft on setting up such a body and the Government hoped that that institution would be established very soon. Health services and education were provided to all women in the United Arab Emirates without discrimination between citizens and non-citizens. As for women’s access to justice, bodies specialized on domestic violence and other forms of violence had been set up, and there were a whole range of centres in that area.

Concerning amendments and revision of the Constitution and laws, the situation was constantly evolving, the delegation said, and revisions took place whenever necessary. The last amendment to the Constitution had been made last year.

Questions by Experts

Following these explanations, an Expert asked a number of questions with respect to the national machinery for the advancement of women. What was the nature of the General Women’s Union; how was it organized; what were its resources; and how did the Union work with the Government?

Response by Delegation

Responding to these questions and others, Ms. Al Hashmy said that the United Arab Emirates was attempting to strengthen the role of women through specific projects aimed at increasing participation of women in public life and public administration.

The delegation further explained that the capital of the General Women’s Union was $70 to $80 million, and that the Union had implemented various very important programmes during the past 35 years, with the focus recently increasingly shifting to devising a comprehensive strategy to advance the rights of women. In that regard, the Union had, inter alia, implemented awareness-raising initiatives; identified best practices through collaboration with organizations from various other countries; worked on improving access to marital advice; and disseminated information on the Convention. There were also 15 centres that provided, among others, adult education.

Questions by Experts

In a further round of questions, Committee Members asked what temporary special measures had been taken to enhance women’s participation in national bodies? Also, what temporary special measures had been taken to ensure the rights of migrant women, and how had the status of migrant women been improved since accession of the United Arab Emirates to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women?

Response by the Delegation

Responding, the delegation said that the United Arab Emirates did not have a law dealing with immigration, which however did not mean that migrants did not have any rights. Immigrants could receive health care in hospitals, they had access to health insurance, and there were various social services from which they could benefit. On freedom of expression, there must be a misunderstanding in that regard since the United Arab Emirates called for that freedom. However, freedom of expression that insulted the Government could evidently not be allowed – there was a ceiling to the freedom of expression.

Further Questions by Experts

In a further series of questions and comments, Experts asked, among other things, what specific measures were necessary to eliminate stereotypes regarding women in the United Arab Emirates, particularly among the media; whether the Government saw a change among the older segments of the population regarding the role of men and women in society; what balance could be achieved between the role of women as mothers and as business women; and whether maternity leave could be combined with the waiting period of 10 days. On domestic violence, the delegation had noted that that was a crime, but which exactly were the laws that prohibited domestic violence, an Expert asked.

Further concerns and questions included a request for more details on the content of trainings mentioned; what steps were envisaged to review the effectiveness of current laws; whether there were any training programmes to sensitize judicial and medical personnel on issues relating to gender-based violence; whether there was any information on the impact of women as attorneys and prosecutors; and whether non-resident women, lesbians, and female sex workers in the United Arab Emirates received protection.

Response by the Delegation

Responding to these and other questions, Ms. Al Hashmy said, regarding the question on stereotypes among older generation segments, that the principle of women’s empowerment and progress of women’s rights was very dominant in the society of the United Arab Emirates. As for violence against women, support centres for such victims have been set up and there were help lines for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, such as the Dubai Institute on Protection of Women and Children. There were also attempts to allow divorced women access to their children and to help them alleviating the psychological problems caused by the divorce.

As for domestic workers, the United Arab Emirates paid particular importance to that group, Ms. Al Hashmy highlighted, and there were attempts to govern contracts of migrant workers and their health coverage. Further, a draft law had been developed to cover support services for domestic workers, which would, inter alia, define their rights and obligations. It was hoped that that legislation would be implemented shortly. Victims of domestic violence were also provided legal services and housing in specific centres, and there were specific sanctions to punish perpetrators.

The delegation further explained that victims of trafficking were not overlooked in the policies of the housing centres that had been set up in 2007, and that safe places were provided for such victims, which assisted them in finding work and facilitated contact with the competent authorities. Social and psychological services were also provided, and research on that issue was conducted, indicating that the number of victims of domestic violence was minimal.

Further Questions by Experts

In a new round of questions, Committee Members wished to know, among other issues, whether engaging in prostitution was a criminal offence in the United Arab Emirates, as was the case for incitement to prostitution; what support services existed for prostitutes wishing to exit prostitution; and whether there was any information on the extent of prostitution and the characteristics of women engaged in prostitution.

As for human trafficking, Experts noted that the Federal Law on human trafficking used the definition of the Palermo Protocol, but did the Trafficking Law also cover foreign workers? Were there laws to protect victims from re-victimization, namely protection from fines or incarceration? Furthermore, could more information be given on the unified contracts for domestic workers that had been mentioned, and could the delegation comment on the widely reported closure of the Dubai City of Hope Shelter? An Expert also noted, with regard to violence against women, that male perpetrators needed counselling and support services for rehabilitation.


Response by the Delegation

Responding to these and other questions and issues, the delegation said that the shelters for female victims of violence were not located in police stations. As for people engaged in prostitution, that was in fact a criminal offence, as was hiring people for prostitution or encouraging that practice, which was sanctioned by prison sentences. As for trafficking in persons, the law applied to all persons that have been sexually exploited or forced into labour, whether the victim was a domestic worker, a non-citizen or a citizen.

Regarding the issue of counselling and rehabilitation for male perpetrators of violence against women, it was necessary to keep in mind the persisting patriarchal attitudes in the United Arab Emirates, the delegation said. As for contracts of domestic workers, memoranda were signed with countries exporting the labour force, and plans had been developed in that regard.

With regard to the shutting down of the shelter, Dubai City of Hope, all State activities were subject to State authorization, and that shelter had begun without authorization, the delegation stressed. Building such centres should have been in compliance with State laws. There were, however, several alternatives to the closed-down shelter, and there were plans to open several new shelters.

Further Questions by Experts

In a further round of questions, Experts asked how the demand for prostitution could be reduced; whether the delegation could comment on the fact that many women who were filing complaints were jailed for other reasons; whether some classification could be made regarding the different forms of violence that were inflicted upon victims who requested shelters; and whether information could be provided on whether female genital mutilation was ongoing in the United Arab Emirates, and if so, what the prevalence rate was.

Response by the Delegation

Responding to these and other questions, Ms. Al Hashmy observed, with respect to the increase of incidences of human trafficking, that the more robust economy had also made the United Arab Emirates a place which could be more abused by those perpetrating human trafficking. Regarding female genital mutilation, that was a very rare occurrence in the United Arab Emirates.

The delegation further said, with regard to the integration of men in rehabilitation programmes to prevent violence against women, that sanctions for such perpetrators were very severe; last year, 20 such cases had been reported and over 40 persons convicted. At the Centre for Protection of Society efforts were also made to reintegrate concerned persons into society. There were also campaigns targeting men to sensitize them on the issue of violence in society, as well as educational programmes.


Questions by Experts

In a further round of questions, Committee Members asked for more information on universal suffrage in the United Arab Emirates. On article 25 of the Constitution, there was no mention of gender as a criterion of non-discrimination, and it was wondered if there were any plans to change that and include sex or gender as a ground for discrimination. Furthermore, was an association aimed at advocating human rights for women eligible for registration in the United Arab Emirates, and had any such application ever been rejected? Would an association composed of female foreign workers be able to register, for example? Experts raised this question as they had not received any shadow report from NGOs in the United Arab Emirates.

Response by the Delegation

Responding, Ms. Al Hashmy said that, with the 2006 elections, the first demonstration of female participation and related democratic values had taken place. There were no laws preventing women from participation, and there were in fact several women who put forward their candidacy and who received support to advocate their programme. In addition, the fact that 22 per cent of the Federal National Council were women was a further strong sign.

As to the criteria for registration and the eligibility of foreign NGOs, the delegation explained that that process was developed in consultation with NGOs, some of whom were present today, and that it was possible for foreigners to become members of such organizations. There remained a long way to go, but the United Arab Emirates was at the beginning of an ambitious path, and the fact that comments of NGOs were included in the report was testimony to that.

Further Questions by Experts

In a further series of questions and comments, Experts said, concerning stateless women who suffered discrimination on several grounds, that it was commendable that in 2007 over 1,000 women had been naturalized. They asked for the total number of naturalized women, and for information on plans for further action in that regard. Experts asked why the United Arab Emirates was not a party to several significant international human rights conventions, such as the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and if there were any plans to change that.

Response by the Delegation

Responding to these and other questions, Ms. Al Hashmy said, with regard to the issue of stateless persons, that the United Arab Emirates was working continuously to resolve that problem; decisions had been made several years ago that the cases of such people had to be studied, and a Committee to study the situation of people who have no papers confirming their identity had been established. On the nationality law, one of the obstacles was that the United Arab Emirates did not accept double citizenship, and many children of foreign fathers held the citizenship of their father and refused to give that up. However, steps were being taken to resolve the issue.

Further Questions by Experts

In a further round of questions, Committee Members wished to know, among other issues, whether the secondary cycle of education was compulsory; whether net enrolment rates could be given to complement the given gender ratio numbers; why female enrolment was decreasing in public schools and increasing in private schools; from what sort of illnesses did girls suffer that prevented them from completing their education; and to what extent did the education system help to transform existing values or rather reinforce them?

Response by the Delegation

Responding to these and other questions and issues, the delegation said that the net enrolment rates could be put together and communicated to the Committee. Public education was free from charge, and the shift from public to private schools could be due to the specific subject-matter specializations private schools were able to offer, as opposed to public schools. Moreover, many girls wished to complete world-class education without travelling abroad, which encouraged them to enrol in private schools where, for example, several languages were taught. As to the high enrolment rates of women as opposed to men, that was in fact due to the fact that more men than women travelled abroad

Further Questions by Experts

Committee Members next asked whether the draft Federal Law contained provisions for both direct and indirect discrimination; what was proposed in the Federal Act with regard to sexual harassment, particularly as it applied to hostile work environments; and, with reference to domestic workers, if more details could be provided on the new mandatory standard formulas and how that could be monitored. A further concern of Members was that the United Arab Emirates had a hierarchically very segmented labour market, with female migrant workers on the lowest level. They asked how employment practices were monitored, in particular to ensure against practices such as the withholding passports, non-payment of overtime and long working hours. Another concern with regard to the Labour Code was that there were no provisions to ensure equal pay for equal work, and that women could not work without the consent of their husband or male guardian. Further, did the right of association apply equally to foreigners and citizens? Finally, why was there no law on non-citizens domestic workers, with the issue entirely left to a matter of contract. Leaving that area to be governed by contract law might lead to bonded labour and forced labour practices.

Response by the Delegation

Responding, Ms. Al Hashmy said that there was no discrepancy between citizen domestic workers and non-citizen domestic workers – and the law in that regard in the United Arab Emirates was unequivocally enforced. As to freedom of association, the existing provisions were not applied to govern those wishing to demonstrate for a cause, but merely to allow for some level of governance by the State in order to ensure that things did not get out of hand.

With regard to the provisions of the Constitution regarding non-discrimination, it contained texts which did not make any distinction between the rights of men and those of women. And while there were occupations that were prohibited for women, that was in their own interest. United Arab Emirates law further provided victims with means to submit complaints and take advantage of the justice system regarding issues relating to sexual harassment, also as it applied to the working environment. In fact, complaints had been filed and heavy sanctions applied in that regard. As for equal pay for equal work, the delegation said that there were some details which needed to be considered, but overall equal pay was guaranteed to men and women in both the public and the private sector. In some regards, women were even privileged; for example, they could retire earlier than men. As to contractual labour, there was no law of this type for the time being, but work was in progress in that regard.

Further Questions by Experts

In a further round of questions, Committee Members noted that the United Arab Emirates had experienced high economic growth, but felt that the government overemphasized the financial and technical aspects of health care and did not concentrate enough on other substantial aspects needed to guarantee women’s health, such as training and advocacy. If no data could be provided for the time being, that should be included in the next report. Further, while many programmes targeted the elderly, those suffering from HIV/AIDS or youth, there did not seem to be any programmes particularly targeting women and girls. Further, could information be given on the situation regarding sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS in the United Arab Emirates; on educational initiatives in that regard and other measures that might have been taken to ensure that young persons could avoid contracting such diseases and adolescent pregnancy; whether boys were included in responsible parenting initiatives; and whether migrant workers could receive maternity coverage. As to women malnourished or deprived of food, what was the State doing about that, and how was the health of women domestic workers protected?

Response by the delegation

Responding, Ms. Al Hashmy said that more information and statistics regarding health care of girls and women would be provided at a later moment. To foster and preserve the health of women and girls, the United Arab Emirates in fact had a strategy in place, including several measures, among others: clinics for women; early-detection measures; the establishment of centres for medical research; health insurance for women working in the private sector; a programme combining preventive and treatment measures; and steps to improve the mental health of women. As for the programmes of assistance to the elderly, the United Arab Emirates provided assistance to both elderly men and women, but there were also programmes that particularly targeted women and girls, as well as adolescents. As for the use of contraceptives, family planning was preferred to the use of contraceptives.

Further Questions by Experts

Committee Members next asked, whether the delegation could provide information on the number of women who benefited from loans and credits; what measures had been taken to increase their number; whether there were microcredit institutions as well as measures taken to benefit migrant women seeking more credit. Further, what were the results of the rural education programmes mentioned in the report, and what other measures did the Government take to attempt and achieve its goal of promoting rural areas – was there a national plan in that regard?


Response by the Delegation

Responding, Ms. Al Hashmy said that data on the rise of females owning land could be given. And widows who provided for children would be given a parcel of land or credit. A microfinancing model was not used, but there was a slightly different model, with the same objectives, but which also focused on fostering entrepreneurship. As to rural areas, the services provided by the Government had been provided to all people living within its borders, whether they lived in urban or rural areas.

The measures taken for the promotion of rural populations included investing in human resources in those areas, as well as ensuring that the available basic services were comparable to those available in urban areas, the delegation further explained. Recently, the President of the United Arab Emirates had made a donation for rural areas to ensure that they were on a par with the developed areas of the country.

Further Questions by Experts

Experts further asked whether there was an interaction with organizations such as Sisters in Islam, and whether there existed a debate in the United Arab Emirates on the interpretation of Islam in line with international treaties, for example on the need for having a guardian in marriage? As for the change of the family as an extended unit towards the family as a nuclear unit, had the Government taken account of this trend with respect to its policies, Committee Members further asked? Experts also pointed out that the issue of dowry was in direct contravention with the Committee’s position, also pointing out that if polygamous men treated all wives equally that still not mean the women enjoyed their right to equality. As to marital property, did a divorcing woman have the right to non-financial contributions she might have made during marriage, and were there women judges in Sharia courts?

Response by the Delegation

Responding, Ms. Al Hashmy said that there was much that was left to interpretation since Islam did not come in a rigid sense. What often looked like a strict interpretation of Sharia law was often not one in practice in the United Arab Emirates. For example, while under Sharia law a woman could not be a judge, today’s delegation comprised a female judge; and although traditional Sharia law would require that two women served as witnesses to equal one man, judges in the United Arab Emirates would take the testimony of a woman without further need for validation. The delegation added that there were principles which were thought to come from Sharia, but in fact came from traditions and customs, and as society was progressing, it was giving up such traditions. There had in fact been many such changes in recent years in the United Arab Emirates.

Concluding Remarks

In concluding remarks, Ms. Al Hashmy said that this was the United Arab Emirates’ first report to the Committee and there was undoubtedly room for improvement. The United Arab Emirates appreciated the important work of the Committee, which would be integrated into the work of the Government in order to strengthen the role of women in the United Arab Emirates.

Also in some concluding observations, NAELA GABR, Committee Chairperson, said that she hoped that the United Arab Emirates would submit next report in a more timely fashion. She also hoped that the United Arab Emirates would reconsider its reservations to several articles of the Convention, and that today’s discussion and the findings of the Committee would be published in the United Arab Emirates. She also hoped that there would be further collaboration between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and civil society, and that it continued its flexibility in interpreting Sharia. The United Arab Emirates had made headway and major strides in the advancement of women’s rights and the Committee wished it well in the future.


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