A regional policy workshop in Dubai concluded with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states reaffirming their commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment through coordinated legal reforms and institutional collaboration.

The two-day GCC Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Women’s Economic Empowerment, hosted by the UAE Gender Balance Council in partnership with the World Bank, brought together high-level delegations from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

Organized under the UAE Gender Balance Centre for Excellence and Knowledge Exchange, the event aimed to strengthen regional cooperation and support the development of targeted strategies to increase women’s participation in the economy.

Speaking at the event, H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council and President of the Dubai Women Establishment, said: “Women’s economic empowerment is not simply a policy objective, it is a force for transformation. It strengthens institutions, drives innovation, and ensures that progress is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.”

She reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to fostering regional partnerships and shaping a tailored model of inclusive growth for the GCC.

Delegations from the three participating countries included representatives from national ministries and gender policy institutions. The UAE’s delegation featured officials from several ministries, the General Pension and Social Security Authority, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, and the Dubai Women Establishment.

Saudi Arabia was represented by entities such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the General Organization for Social Insurance, while Bahrain’s delegation included the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the Supreme Council for Women.

The first day of the workshop focused on policy frameworks to improve women’s access to employment. It included discussions on childcare, maternity support, and recent legislative reforms. It also included updates to the World Bank’s Women, Business, and the Law framework.

The second day highlighted national experiences: the UAE outlined efforts to close gender gaps in the labour market, Saudi Arabia presented workforce and social insurance reforms, and Bahrain discussed its national initiatives for upskilling and female empowerment.

The event concluded with the presentation of a joint brief by the UAE Gender Balance Council and the World Bank, outlining key findings and proposing a roadmap for continued collaboration across the region.