An ambitious and far-reaching gender equality policywas launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) at its General Conference in Abu Dhabi. The Strategy for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (2020-2023) promotes UNIDO’s vision that women and men equally lead, participate in, and benefit from inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID).
The launch of gender strategy policy was launched by LI Yong, Director General of UNIDO, at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) General Conference, which is being held at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi from 3-8 November 2019. The General Conference brings together 170 member states under the theme of ‘Industry 2030 – Innovate. Connect. Transform our Future’. H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of Energy and Industry, was on Sunday announced President of the biennial event on 3 November.
Stressing the consequences of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the effects of increasing automation on economy and society. LI Yong said: “We need to ensure that the Fourth Industrial Revolution leads to prosperity being shared more evenly, and that it is inclusive of those who have been left behind in the past.”
The ceremony was followed by a high-level panel exploring issues relating to advancing gender inclusivity and how the Fourth Industrial Revolution will need to address current gender inequalities.
Providing a UAE perspective was Ismail Abdulla, CEO of UAE-based Strata Manufacturing, a homegrown composite aerospace manufacturing champion based in Nibras Al Ain Aerospace Park that supports the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 goal of creating a knowledge-based economy.
Abdulla reminded delegates that the UAE’s Founding President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had stressed the importance of inclusivity and the involvement of women in the national workforce and economy, adding that sustainable talent acquisition is always colour blind, gender neutral and based on merit. Abdulla underlined the fact gender equality is also good business strategy, citing the high number of women working and being trained in technical and engineering disciplines within Strata Manufacturing.
Despite constituting 50% of Strata’s team leaders and 40% of Strata employees overall, women still represent one of the largest pools of untapped talent for manufacturing. Mr Abdulla said: “From our perspective we cannot leave anyone behind “Everyone is given a level playing field. There is no secret sauce – it’s just common sense.”
Abdulla also advocated the need to heighten female students’ motivation by increasing their understanding of how STEM careers can enable global change; a logical step in ensuring more female representation in senior STEM positions. He also called on educators, parents and leaders to address the misconception that STEM-related fields are not appropriate careers for women.
The side-event was one in a series of high-level UNIDO 18th General Conference sessions complementing a main agenda focusing on themes including: Youth and Entrepreneurship, Gender, Industry 4.0, Sustainable Energy, Industrial Parks and the Circular Economy. UNIDO, along with financial development institutions, universities, and public-private partnership vehicles, plays a key role in enhancing foreign and domestic direct investment for sustainable and inclusive industrialisation.
