The UAE Cabinet, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has appointed Mouza Mohammed Al Suwaidi as Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council. The announcement, made on September 16, 2024, reflects the UAE's continued push to elevate women into senior leadership and decision-making positions — and to sharpen the country's competitive standing in international gender equality rankings.
A Leader With Deep Cross-Sector Roots
Mouza Al Suwaidi brings more than two decades of experience spanning both the public and private sectors. Most recently, she served as Head of Community Engagement at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai. Prior to that, she was Executive Director of Shared Services at Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, and she has held procurement roles at Emirates Global Aluminium.
Her academic credentials include a Master's degree in Business Administration from Wayne State University in the United States and a Bachelor's degree in Applied Sciences from the Higher Colleges of Technology.
Council Leadership Backs the Appointment
Council President Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum welcomed the appointment, saying: "With her diverse experience in public and private sectors, Al Suwaidi will add new value to the council."
Sheikha Manal also noted that the council continues to receive full backing from the UAE's top leadership on matters of women's rights and advancement — a foundation she said is central to achieving the council's long-term goals of promoting gender equality across all sectors of the economy.
A 'Revolutionary Phase' for Gender Balance
Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri described the moment as the start of a transformative new chapter. The council's restructured formation, she said, will "bring together talented Emiratis from diverse fields to drive gender balance efforts," with a specific focus on boosting the UAE's position in global gender balance rankings.
Al Marri underscored that the council's new direction is closely aligned with the UAE's broader vision for sustainable economic growth and the systematic development of its society — goals that require meaningful participation from women at every level.
Al Suwaidi's Commitment
In response to her appointment, Mouza Al Suwaidi said: "I am honoured by the trust placed in me and will dedicate myself to fulfilling the responsibilities it involves."
Her background across community engagement, shared services, and procurement positions her well to drive the council's agenda on multiple fronts — from stakeholder engagement to operational effectiveness.
UAE's Gender Balance Ambitions
The UAE Gender Balance Council was established in 2015 and has since worked to close gender gaps across government, business, and society. With this appointment, the council signals it is entering a new strategic phase — one aimed at cementing the UAE's reputation as a regional and global leader in gender equality.
