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Increasing awareness of promoting women´s rights has taken place not only in the West, where the growing body of feminist thoughts are very active, but throughout the developing countries as well. The United Arab Emirates is in the process of strengthening its capacity to serve the nation in the field of social improvement. This goal is associated with a view of providing women with a social rank that enables them to empower themselves in different social aspects. Such a strategy is viewed by policymakers necessary for the formation of a sound public policy in social and family fields. However, exacting societal forces are trying to interrupt social movement and challenge the public policy by rejecting women´s empowerment. The patriarchal system, on the other hand, strengthens gender hierarchy on different levels. While women are participating in the public life, patriarchy regulates their access to the top positions; regarding this rule, the majority of women are located in the middle class jobs.

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Suaad Zayed AL-Oraimi: Professor of Gender & Development, Department of Sociology UAE University.

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