Achieving Gender Equality in Higher Education: An Empirical Study in the UAE

Gender equality in education has emerged as a core goal for sustainable development and social justice in the world as a whole, as it guarantees equal access to learning opportunities, it drives the values of social inclusion, structural inequalities and empowers people of all gender to fully contribute to economic, cultural and social development.. This study examined the role of universities in promoting gender equality in education in the United Arab Emirates, with a particular focus on institutional practices, challenges, and potential solutions. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of 70 undergraduate students at Al Ain University. The findings indicated that the overall role of universities in promoting gender equality was moderate, reflecting ongoing progress alongside the need for further improvement. The results also revealed that the main challenges were related to awareness and attitudes among educational staff and parents, rather than structural barriers. In addition, the proposed solutions, particularly expanding educational initiatives and strengthening institutional commitment, were perceived as important for enhancing gender equality. Furthermore, the analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences in students’ perceptions attributable to gender, indicating a shared understanding of gender equality among male and female students. The study concluded that achieving gender equality in education requires an integrated approach that combines institutional practices, policy implementation, and societal awareness.