08

Dec

2024

2024 | 56th session of the Human Rights | Human Rights Council | Written Statements

The Union Association for Human Rights commends the National Policy for the Empowerment of Emirati Women (2023-2031), launched by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Nation”

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About the Statement

A written statement was issued by the Union Association for Human Rights (UAHR), in cooperation with a consultative organization, under document number A/HRC/56/NGO/141. The statement, submitted to the Human Rights Council at its 56th session (June–July 2024), focuses on the need to enhance the protection of women from economic violence. It calls for the establishment of a comprehensive UN definition of this form of abuse and highlights the United Arab Emirates as a regional model in advancing women’s economic empowerment.

Statement Content

  • The statement underscores that economic violence is among the most underreported and overlooked forms of abuse, receiving insufficient attention from international human rights mechanisms.
  • It expresses concern over the lack of a precise and comprehensive UN definition for this form of violence, which limits the ability to monitor, address, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Dimensions of Economic Violence Against Women:

Economic violence includes practices such as:

  • Preventing women from accessing their financial resources.
  • Exploiting their assets without consent.
  • Restricting their ability to make independent economic decisions.
  • Depriving them of employment and meaningful economic participation.

The statement affirms that such violence exacerbates discrimination and poverty, hinders empowerment efforts, and undermines quality of life.

Call to the Council and the Special Rapporteur:

  • Develop an official international definition of economic violence against women that reflects its realities and diverse manifestations.
  • Issue an international framework for monitoring and assessing these violations and proposing actionable remedies.
  • Urge states to enact national legislation prohibiting economic violence and to strengthen empowerment and economic equality programs.
  • Prioritize economic violence in the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women.

Highlighting the UAE’s Experience:

National policies and strategies:

  • The National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women (2023–2031), led by HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
  • Promoting women’s participation in vital sectors.

Regional and global leadership:

  • The UAE’s high ranking in gender gap reduction indicators.
  • The UAE ranked 68th globally in the 2022 competitiveness indicators.

Inspiring Arab initiatives:

  • The Arab League’s 33rd Summit (May 2023) adopted the UAE’s proposal to establish the “Arab Observatory for Women’s Economic Development” as a regional platform for tracking and evaluating gender-based economic policies and initiatives.

Key Recommendations

  • Develop a comprehensive international definition of economic violence against women.
  • Prepare a global report to document economic violations faced by women.
  • Encourage states to establish national laws and mechanisms to protect women from economic violence.
  • Leverage successful models, particularly the UAE’s experience, in expanding women’s rights in economic participation, investment, and entrepreneurship.

Significance of the Statement:

  • The statement sheds light on one of the most persistent and impactful yet marginalized forms of violence against women in the international human rights system.
  • It highlights the urgent need to update UN legal and policy frameworks to explicitly include economic violence.
  • It presents the UAE as a successful model in crafting policies and programs that foster women’s economic empowerment and equal opportunity.