Kathija Adam

Women's Empowerment and Leadership in Education: a Key Factor for Emiritisation in the United Arab Emirates Kathija Adam

Women in the UAE have a role to play in the development of their country's political, economical, educational and social goals. Although social constraints exist for women and work, they presently dominate some sectors like education. This study identifies barriers, current leadership roles and their participation in the decision-making process. Barriers to job entry and career progression were identified. In particular married women with children found it difficult to balance their roles as care givers and career women. Educational leaders employed transformational leadership styles, were considered to be role models and contributed to decision-making by providing quality decisions based on experience and expertise. Strategies to assist women in overcoming barriers are recommended because women form an integral part of the workforce aligning with the government's Emiritisation goals.