The journey to womanhood is often complicated by societal expectations and identity challenges, particularly in professional environments where ‘feminine qualities’, such as being soft-spoken and prioritizing others, conflict with the assertiveness demanded in leadership roles. In this respect, women in international school leadership have faced numerous problems in understanding effective leadership, requiring mentorship by other women. Programs under EduroLearning, like Women Who Lead, hint at what are required-new systemic changes that bring more women into educational leadership roles.

In the UAE, Emirati women have attained at great strides in higher education 70 percent of graduates and 56 percent of those in STEM fields have achieved a stellar literacy rate of 95.8 percent. They comprise 66 percent of public sector employees and occupy 30 percent of leadership positions besides running over 23,000 enterprises. They further hold 15 percent of board positions in chambers of commerce. Government initiatives include equal representation in the Federal National Council and also the establishment of the Gender Balance Council. However, challenges persist in their attainment of senior leadership in higher education due to diverse leadership styles and structural barriers.

A few women have succeeded to the role of unit director, department chair, dean, and vice-chancellor, but the top slots-the president and chancellor-are still held primarily by men, only one presiding over a top-ranked university. The journey toward gender parity in educational leadership continues as advocates push for systemic changes to empower women.

By fostering a culture that supports women’s leadership, they aim to create an environment where future generations of girls can thrive. In the current edition, “Top 10 Prominent Women Education Leaders in Schools from UAE – 2024” Asia Education Review celebrates a few recognized women leaders in school education system. Acknowledging their dexterity in the education space, through the current featuring, readers can get acquainted with their deliverables and contribution to education field in UAE.

Looking forward to your valuable feedback!