Dubai School of Government Gender and Public Policy Research Seminar

Marie Lillo

Political Participation of Women in the UAE

20/04/2008

2

Agenda

Executive Summary

Research Methodology

Background to Research

Findings

Open questions

3

Executive Summary

Methodology: as part of a Master‘s thesis, the first ever-held elections in the UAE were

analyzed through the study of secondary literature, interviews and an anonymous survey

Backbone of the thesis: the paper aimed at answering three main questions:

– Why were these elections held?

– Why has the government chosen such approach to the reform?

– Are there any obstacles to the already announced future steps of this reform?

Main findings:

– The characteristics of the role and life of women in the UAE reflect the nature of the

Emirati society: a balance between modernity and tradition

– Currently, the limitations to the role of women in the public sphere do not allow for the

tap of political participation to be “fully flowing”

– It remains to be seen to which extent these limitations will persist

Open questions: In which direction is the process of widening political participation going in the

UAE?

4

The first ever-held elections in the UAE were analyzed through the study of secondary literature, interviews and an anonymous survey

Interviews

8 interviews (telephone and personal interviews)

– Government officials

– Academics

– Gender expert in the UAE

– One FNC member

Secondary research

Analysis of the existing literature in the fields of:

– Women in the Gulf

– Political systems in the Gulf

– History of the UAE

Review of Local newspapers

Use of Gulf Research Center database

Online Survey

Development of questionnaire analyzing the general perception of the Emirati society to the elections

Sent through personal network mainly based in Abu Dhabi

Sent to UAE nationals only

Received 22 responses

Methodology

5

It remains to be seen whether the tap of political participation will ever be fully flowing

Background of the Thesis

The Emirati leadership has shown a great will to

modernise

“Reform on tap”Political participation

The tap of political participation was slowly opened:

– Restricted elections

– Indirect elections

The fully flowing tap could be made difficult:

– Issues of citizenship

– Institutional limitation

– Gender issues in the UAE

Focus of this discussion

6

Women in the UAE show a strong interest in the elections and have clear opinions and a desire to get involved in politics, which could push further the opening of the tap

“People should be able to hold high positions based on how much information they hold

and not who they know”

“We should have freedom of

expression, speech and media”

“I am not clear about the members experience,

education, background and general awareness and don’t trust that they should have

more authority”

“The FNC should, bring about

legislative and government

change”

Key findings

Women show a strong interest in the political development in the UAE:

– More clarity and transparency in the election process

– Holding political positions due to merit rather than connections

– Have the right to vote (59% of respondents)

The respondents have very clear idea about how they would like to be represented and which issues they would like to politicians to tackle

Responses from Interviews

Women as Active Agents in Society

77%

Survey results

Men

Women

23%

“The process was non-

transparent and unequal”

Survey respondents

“People should be in power because of their

capabilities not because of who they know”

7

However cultural barriers and the rentier state could be obstacles to having a fully open tap to political participation

Limitations to the Role of Women in the Public Sphere

Cultural Barriers

Limitations to the participation of women in the public sphere

Rentier State

Conflict between new and traditional gender roles– Importance of family structures– Clearer roles for women in the

private sphere Still limited presence of women in

the public arena, especially at decision making level, i.e. no women in the Supreme Council

95% of women who complete high school join university but only 27% of these join the labor market after graduation

Women did not vote for women (1189 female members of the EC only 1 woman elected)

Rentier state discourages women to participate actively:

– Extremely generous welfare state providing its citizens with education, healthcare, facilitated access to housing,

– Both men and women are content and do not seek political change or participation

– Paradoxically the modern economy based on oil profits has slightly reinforced cultural barriers for women

Source: Ministry of Information:2006

8

Political discontent

Women’s political behavior

Will the evolution of the nature of the rentier state bring about changes in the level of and demand for political participation in the UAE?

How far can these changes in demand for political participation be conducted by the government?

Are the existing means of communication with the government sufficient for the citizens to voice their discontent?

How do Emirati women perceive their role in the political future of the country?

Why did women not vote for female candidates?

What are the key factors that would make the women seek for more or less participation?

Taking into consideration the role of women, it will be interesting to analyze how the journey of political participation continues for the UAE

Open Questions