The belief that women are entitled to take their place in society is grounded in the UAE Constitution, which guarantees the principles of social justice for all, in accordance with the precepts of Islam. Under the Constitution, women enjoy the same access to education, health care, social welfare and the same right to practice professions as men. The guarantees enshrined in the Constitution have also been carried through into implementing legislation governing equalisation of opportunities in all fields.
Women hold 66 per cent of public sector posts in the UAE and 30 per cent of senior decision-making positions in the Government sector. In fact, Emirati women occupy high-profile positions in all sectors of society, including the judiciary, prosecution services, diplomatic corps (three ambassadors and one consul general), police force, military forces, business and finance. As far as political participation is concerned, four UAE cabinet ministers are women and in the 2011 indirect elections for the UAE's parliamentary body, the Federal National Counci (FNC), women registered as candidates in 46 per cent of electoral colleges. One woman was subsequently elected to the FNC (and is now Deputy Speaker) and six were appointed.