Emiratis In the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a prosperous country that has made significant progress in various sectors since its independence in 1971. Despite this, Emiratis still face challenges and struggles in the modern-day world. These struggles include issues related to education, employment, gender equality, and cultural identity. In this blog post, we will explore these struggles and their impact on Emiratis.
Education is the foundation of any society, and the UAE has made significant progress in this area in the last few decades. However, Emiratis still face several challenges when it comes to education. One of the main issues is the quality of education in public schools. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the UAE ranks 60th out of 137 countries in the quality of primary education. This low ranking can be attributed to various factors, such as outdated teaching methods, lack of funding, and a shortage of qualified teachers. Emirati students also face challenges in accessing higher education, as the cost of attending private universities is high, and there is fierce competition for scholarships.
Another significant struggle for Emiratis is employment. Despite the country's booming economy, Emiratis face a high rate of unemployment, especially among the youth. According to a report by the International Labour Organization, the unemployment rate among Emirati youth aged 15-24 was 18.5% in 2020. This is mainly due to the preference of many employers for expatriate workers who are willing to work for lower wages. Additionally, many Emiratis face a lack of job opportunities in sectors that require highly skilled workers, such as science and technology.
Gender equality is another struggle that Emiratis face in the modern-day world. While the UAE has made progress in this area, there are still significant gaps between men and women, especially when it comes to representation in leadership positions. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the UAE ranks 120th out of 156 countries in the gender gap index. This low ranking can be attributed to several factors, such as cultural attitudes towards women in leadership positions, lack of access to education and employment opportunities, and inadequate legal protection against gender-based discrimination and violence.
Cultural Identity
Cultural identity is another significant struggle for Emiratis in the modern-day world. As the country has developed, there has been a growing concern among Emiratis that their cultural identity is being eroded. The influx of expatriates from different cultures has brought about changes in the country's social fabric, leading to a clash of cultures. Emiratis also face challenges in preserving their cultural heritage, such as the decline of traditional crafts and the loss of historical landmarks due to development projects. Additionally, the increasing influence of western values and culture has led to a generational divide, with younger Emiratis adopting more western lifestyles and attitudes, while older Emiratis cling to traditional values.
These struggles have significant impacts on Emiratis, both individually and as a society. The low quality of education, lack of employment opportunities, and gender inequality all contribute to the high levels of dissatisfaction among Emirati youth, which can lead to social unrest and political instability. Additionally, the erosion of cultural identity can lead to a loss of national pride and a sense of belonging, which can have a detrimental effect on social cohesion.
How to overcome these struggles?
To address these struggles, the UAE government has launched several initiatives aimed at improving education, increasing employment opportunities for Emiratis, promoting gender equality, and preserving cultural heritage. For example, the government has launched the National Qualifications Authority, which is responsible for ensuring the quality of education in the country, and the Emiratisation program, which aims to increase the number of Emiratis in the private sector workforce. The government has also passed several laws aimed at protecting women's rights, such as the 2015 federal law on combating discrimination and hatred, which criminalizes acts of discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, and ethnicity. Additionally, the government has launched the Gender Balance Council, which is responsible for promoting gender equality in all sectors of society.
To preserve cultural identity, the government has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting Emirati culture, such as the National Festival of Heritage and Culture, which showcases Emirati traditions and customs, and the UAE Cultural Heritage Management Strategy, which aims to protect and preserve the country's cultural heritage. The government has also launched the National Program for Advanced Skills, which aims to train Emiratis in traditional crafts such as weaving, pottery, and metalwork.
Despite these efforts, more needs to be done to address the struggles that Emiratis face in the modern-day world. The government needs to continue investing in education and training programs to improve the quality of education and increase employment opportunities for Emiratis, especially in sectors that require highly skilled workers. Additionally, the government needs to continue promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights, such as by strengthening laws against gender-based discrimination and violence.
To preserve cultural identity, the government needs to continue investing in initiatives that promote Emirati culture and heritage, such as by supporting traditional crafts and preserving historical landmarks. Additionally, the government needs to work to bridge the generational divide between younger and older Emiratis, by promoting dialogue and understanding between different generations and cultures.
Emiratis face several struggles in the modern-day world, such as challenges in education, employment, gender equality, and cultural identity. These struggles have significant impacts on Emiratis, both individually and as a society. While the UAE government has launched several initiatives aimed at addressing these struggles, more needs to be done to ensure that Emiratis can thrive in the modern-day world. By investing in education, promoting gender equality, and preserving cultural heritage, the UAE can ensure that Emiratis can overcome these struggles and build a prosperous and cohesive society.
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