“I Want to be a Leader, But Men Are Better Than Women in Leadership Positions”

Rana Al-Mutawa

doi:10.1163/15692086-12341369

Abstract

Abstract This research paper investigates female perceptions of female leadership in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where, particularly recently, state feminism has supported women’s occupation of leadership positions. It thus explores how state feminism’s portrayal of the ideal woman in leadership has impacted Emirati women’s perceptions of female leaders. A survey comprising 350 female Emirati students was undertaken, and results were supported by interviews. Findings suggest that although 93 percent of respondents “wanted to” or “probably wanted to” be leaders, they nevertheless endorsed “sexist” stereotypes and legitimizing myths. These contradictions are due, most likely, to ambivalent messages disseminated by the state and by society at large about female leaders. This research postulates that, while women have gained more agency in the public sphere through occupying leadership positions, their own perceptions and portrayals of acceptable gender roles are complex and ambivalent.

Highlights

I have often had ambivalent experiences as an Emirati woman navigating work, education, and personal choices
On TV and in other forms of media, I have seen Emirati women occupying senior positions in government, an encouragement for many like myself; yet, in classroom discussions with my female students about women in leadership, I was surprised to find some of them reiterating stereotypes I do not expect among younger women, such as about women being “too jealous” to be adequate leaders— because the state vehemently promotes the idea that women can occupy leadership positions
Via free access respond to statements about female leadership and women’s roles in society, such as “Men are better than women in leadership and pioneering positions.”

Summary

Introduction

I have often had ambivalent experiences as an Emirati woman navigating work, education, and personal choices. By 2009, this figure had grown to 17 percent (al-Awad 2015; Metcalfe 2008) Behind this more recent increase in the female workforce has been state feminism (rather than financial need), which encouraged women to study and work, especially as the government sought to nationalize the workforce. The present research aims to contribute to this wider literature on state feminism in non-Western societies and its impact on female perceptions of women’s roles in societyas well as to research on legitimizing myths that women practice in different parts of the world. The paper begins with a short description of the situation of Emirati women in the uae It continues with a review of the literature on state feminism and legitimizing myths. The concluding section sums up the findings and provides an outlook for further research avenues

Background

Results

Conclusion