UAE 'at forefront of women’s empowerment in Arab world,' says EU envoy

On the occasion of International Women's Day, a top European Union diplomat has highlighted how the "UAE is at the forefront of women’s empowerment in the Arab world".

Speaking to the national news agency WAM, Andrea Matteo Fontana, the Ambassador of the EU to the UAE, emphasised that gender equality remains among the bloc's paramount objectives and stressed how member states have worked with the UAE to further promote women’s empowerment and protection.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a major challenge for the issue globally, the envoy made it clear that the EU will work to "ensure women’s full and effective participation in all spheres of life."

He added that at the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020, the EU will, together with the UAE and other international partners, be hosting a series of events on women’s empowerment.