In an effort to end discrimination in all its forms, the world annually celebrates Zero Discrimination Day on March 1st. This year, the United Nations and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV & AIDS (UNAIDS) is “calling for an end to discrimination against women and girls and for equal rights, opportunities and treatment.”
“We need to transform our societies so that no one is second class,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima.
We decided to shed light on at least one of the most prominent efforts by Arab governments, in recent years, to end discrimination against women and provide equal opportunities for both genders.
UAE
In 2012, the UAE was the first country in the region to mandate government organizations and companies to have female board members.
Egypt
In 2017, Egypt launched the first initiative of its kind, the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women 2030, to support women empowerment and ensure the inclusivity of women in society.
Bahrain
Bahrain has banned discrimination, as well as sexual harassment in the workplace. According to the 2019 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, Bahrain has the world’s highest percentage of female business founders.
Morocco
Under Moroccan law, women have the right to self-guardianship, the right to divorce, and the right to child custody.
Tunisia
Tunisia introduced legislation that gives men and women equal inheritance rights for the first time in the nation’s history.
Despite efforts from these countries, and others, to fight gender discrimination, we still have a long way to go. However, we have come a long way, and that’s what matters.