Half of all Federal National Council (FNC) members must now be women.
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the change will be in effect from the upcoming legislative cycle.
It means that 20 of the 40-member strong house will be women.
The ruler of each emirate will now determine the number of seats allocated for women when electing their emirate’s representatives in FNC.
Leading Emirati women have praised the decision.
FNC Speaker Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, both said the move is a step in the right direction.
UAE responds to incoming missile, drone threats from Iran on Tuesday
Rain forecast for parts of UAE until March 12
UAE leaders highlight unity and strength in Dubai meeting
UAE modifies alert sounds in National Early Warning System
2 members of UAE Armed Forces martyred in helicopter crash
UAE condemns drone attack on consulate in Iraqi Kurdistan
UAE participates in extraordinary EU–GCC leaders meeting
Spanish PM reaffirms support for UAE following Iranian attacks
