Women and ICT: Challenges Facing UAE Women Dr. Zeinab Karake Shalhoub Associate Dean American University of Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, UAE

In a Nutshell (December 2002) Population: 3.7 millions Internet Users: 1,175,000 Internet Penetration: 35 % Adult Literacy: 95 % Personnel Computers: 500,000 Internet Subscribers: 286,000 ICT Expenditures: $1.245 billion ICT related university graduates/year: 1791

Women in the UAE The right of UAE women to take part in the development of all areas of their society is laid out in the UAE Constitution, adopted when the federation was founded in It states that social justice should apply to all and that, before the law, women are equal to men. They enjoy the same legal status, claim to titles and access to education. They have the right to practice the profession of their choice.

Gender Policy Framework The Gvt. Of the UAE has been supportive of policies and laws that are positive to women, however women and their rights and roles are still positioned within the context of the family “as the basis society” as stipulated in the UAE Constitution.

Women in Education 70 % at HCT are women 60 % at UAE University are women 50 % at AUS are women Only 12 % are in Technology related fields Majority of Women employed in the public sector 6.7 % of registered DCCI (2002) were women

ICTs and Women: Pros and Cons Small recipient group Skewed distribution of rights, education, health, and economic opportunity Education, knowledge, overcome cultural barriers Facilitate income generation Enhanced women advocacy and support groups

Challenges 1. Glass Ceiling: This is the number one challenge. There is still a glass ceiling for women in the ICT sector (both lateral and upward).

Challenges (cont.) 2. The “Old Boys Club”: “Old Boys Club’ mentality still exists. Breaking into this club has been a formidable challenge for UAE women.

Challenges (cont.) 3. Lack of Balance: Modern women challenge is to juggle career and family. Staying away from the demanding ICT sector help women reach a life balance faster and easier.

Challenges (cont.) 4. Scarcity of Mentors: This is one of the biggest barriers for women to break into the ICT sector. Women mentors are in short supply in the UAE, and the Arab World in particular

Challenges (cont.) 5. Self Doubt: UAE women face a problem of self doubt and timidity.

Public Sector Initiatives UAE Women’s Federation The Intelaq Project Zayed University Athena Mentoring Project Sharjah Mentoring Project for Women

Private Sector Initiatives Shell HP Cisco Networking Academy