Studies have shown that the low female participation in the workforce is partly due to custom and tradition, while economic prosperity also means that employment is a matter of choice, rather than of necessity. There are also indications that the educational qualifications obtained by many UAE women are not always those most in demand in the job market. Scarcity of jobs is another factor. In addition, a significant number of UAE women cease working after marriage and bearing children, partly because of an insufficiency of child-care centres, and partly because of the well-founded belief that maternal care is likely to be more beneficial for their children.
Another problem that has been identified is the failure of women to take up employment in a wider range of professions. Although barriers have begun to crumble in recent years, there is still a strong emphasis on the government, health and education sectors. The majority of women have chosen to work in government establishments where in 1998 they represented 47 per cent of the total number of government employees. National women occupy 40 per cent of the senior positions in various government departments and administrations and 15 per cent of working women are professors in higher education institutions.
A recent report published by the Studies, Research and Statistics Unit of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has stressed the importance of intensified training courses for women, as well as the introduction of more incentives, including more family-friendly working hours and support for business opportunities which would allow women to work from home.
The participation of women in political life, especially in the Federal National Council, is also an objective. Sheikha Fatima has pointed out that women are already engaged in the country's decision-making process through the UAE Women's Federation which passes on proposals to the relevant authorities. However, she has expressed her desire that women should participate directly in the work of the Federal National Council.
Several governmental and non-governmental agencies are also drawing up plans for greater participation by women in their activities as part of a national long-term strategy for women’s development in the UAE.