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Caste discrimination is one of the worst human rights abuses in the world today. It is little understood and rarely acknowledged, and affects more than 260 million people worldwide

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Through a hierarchical system, the assignment of basic rights among various castes is highly unequal, with those at the top enjoying most rights coupled with least duties and those at the bottom performing most duties coupled with no rights. The system is maintained through the rigid enforcement of social ostracism (a system of social and economic penalties).

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Issues like untouchability and casteism are still common in rural areas. The reason for this is the deep rooted traditions of casteism. Not just adults, even children are subjected to this form of discrimination. Be it in the community, schools or even the playground, many children face humiliation because of caste discrimination. There have been instances where during the mid-day Meals served in schools, children of schedule castes have been asked to sit separately and eat;  and teachers have asked children belonging to the minority community to sit right at the back in class.

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The exclusion of so-called ‘lower caste communities’ by other groups in society and the inherent structural inequality in these social relationships lead to high levels of poverty among affected population groups. There is little access to benefits and development processes, and their position generally precludes involvement in decision-making and meaningful participation in public and civil life.

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There are some key characteristics that are shared by those affected, regardless of geography or historical origin:

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There are some key characteristics that are shared by those affected, regardless of geography or historical origin:

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The concept of ‘purity pollution’, where certain groups are viewed as being ‘dirty’ and thus contact with them is considered to be polluting (either ritually or physically).

An inherited occupational role, typically the most menial and hazardous work within society, and in some areas an inherited status as a ‘slave’.

A restricted or complete inability to alter one’s inherited status.

Socially enforced restrictions on inter-marriage.

A segregated location in which to live and restricted access to and use of public places.

Subjection to debt bondage.

A generalised lack of respect for human dignity and equality.

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How is the UAE a great example of Gender Equality for the world today?

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How is the UAE a great example of Gender Equality for the world today?

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The UAE is ranked as a leading country in gender equality in the region, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Gender Gap report
(link is external). This achievement comes from the fundamental belief that women and men are equal partners in society. Through a series of public and private sector initiatives, women are playing an increasingly stronger role in business, government and STEM fields.

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77% of Emirati women enroll in higher education after secondary school and make up 70% of all university graduates in the UAE.

56% of UAE government university graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are women.

The literacy rate of women in the UAE is 95.8%.

In September 2014, the UAE opened the region’s first military college for women, Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School. The state-of-the-art military college provides world-class training, physical fitness sessions and leadership development. The UAE has four women fighter pilots and has also trained over 30 women to work with the country’s special security forces.

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The UAE had the highest number of women on Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen in 2020 with 23 Emirati women on the list.

Women business-owners account for 10% of the total private sector in the UAE.

23,000 Emirati businesswomen run projects worth over AED50 billion, and occupy 15% of the positions in the boards of chambers of commerce and industry nationwide.

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Nine women serve in the UAE Cabinet—including Shamma Al Mazrui, who serves as Minister of State for Youth Affairs. When she was appointed at the age of 22 in 2016, she became the youngest minister in the world.

Women comprise 50% of the Federal National Council (FNC), the UAE’s consultative parliamentary body. According to the IMF World Competitiveness Yearbook 2020, the UAE ranked first in the female parliamentary representation index.

In November 2015, Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi was appointed President of the FNC, making her the first woman in the region to lead a national assembly. She served in the position until 2019. Dr. Al Qubaisi had previously made history in 2006 as the first elected female to the FNC and in 2011 was appointed deputy speaker of the FNC.

In October 2008, the first female judge was sworn in. Four women have been appointed as judges, two as public prosecutors and 17 as assistant public prosecutors and marriage officials. In March 2019, two female judges were appointed to the Federal Judiciary
(link is external) for the first time.

Women make up 20% of the diplomatic corps, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has appointed seven Emirati women as ambassadors to represent the country internationally.

In September of 2013, Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh became the UAE’s first female Permanent Representative to the UN and the fifth woman in the country to serve as an Ambassador. She was elected President of the UN Women Executive Board in 2017, the first Arab female president to lead the Board. Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh was also elected as Vice President for the 2017 United Nations General Assembly, representing the Asia-Pacific Group of Member States.

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