A new decision from the Ministry of Economy mandates that women must be represented on the boards of directors of private joint-stock companies, with implementation set to begin in January 2025. According to the decision, at least one seat must be allocated for women upon the conclusion of the current boards' terms. The aim is to enhance the presence and representation of women on the boards of private joint-stock companies. The UAE prioritizes the representation of women in various institutions; in 2018, the then-President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, instructed authorities to allocate 50 percent of seats for women in the Federal National Council. Additionally, a 2020 decree by former president Sheikh Zayed ensures equal pay for women and men performing the same job. In 2024, women in the UAE have become increasingly active in the commercial and business sectors. As of August 2024, the Ministry of Economy reported that the total number of commercial licenses held by Emirati women had reached 135,171, marking a 23 percent increase from the end of 2023. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, emphasized that this decision aligns with the UAE's vision of promoting gender balance. Sheikha Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, noted that the decision was made under the directives of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council.