Dubai: Dubai Municipality has achieved a historic global milestone by becoming the first entity in the world to receive the international certification for compliance with ISO 53800, the global standard on gender equality and women’s empowerment, awarded by Global TUV (gTUV), a leading international organization in auditing, inspection, and certification.
The recognition coincides with Emirati Women’s Day, celebrated annually on August 28, and reflects the UAE’s forward-looking empowerment policies rooted in justice, merit, and equal opportunity. It also supports the nation’s ‘Year of Community’ by reinforcing values of inclusivity, social justice, and sustainable development.
Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said the achievement demonstrates the UAE’s leadership in advancing gender equality. Eng. Ahmed bin Ghalita remarked that, “This recognition reflects our commitment to embedding equality and empowerment as both social and institutional values based on fairness and merit. It also reaffirms our pledge to foster a fair workplace that values competence without bias and embraces the highest global standards in gender balance.”
The certification also aligns with the UAE National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023–2031, further showcasing Dubai as a global model in promoting women’s leadership and professional growth.
Enhancing workplace culture
Nasser BuShehab, CEO of the Planning and Governance Sector at Dubai Municipality, highlighted the significance of the milestone, stating that,
“We are proud that Dubai Municipality is the first entity globally to receive ISO 53800 certification. This strengthens our journey in building an inclusive work environment that promotes equality, empowers women, and ensures work-life balance.”
Similarly, Azza Al Marzooqi, Director of Human Resources, underlined that the recognition directly supports the Municipality’s employee happiness strategy, enhancing job satisfaction, productivity, and talent retention.
UAE’s global leadership in gender balance
The UAE has made significant progress in recent years, ranking 7th globally and 1st in the region in the United Nations Development Programme’s Gender Inequality Index 2024. This marks a dramatic improvement from 49th in 2015 and 11th in both 2021 and 2022.
About ISO 53800
ISO 53800 is the world’s first international standard dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace. It provides a comprehensive framework across key areas including equal opportunities, pay equity, leadership empowerment, and fair organizational practices.
The certification was issued by Global TUV, a German-based leader in auditing and certification, accredited by major international bodies including the Emirates International Accreditation Centre, the German Accreditation Body, and the American Accreditation Body.
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