Half of all Federal National Council (FNC) members must now be women.
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the change will be in effect from the upcoming legislative cycle.
It means that 20 of the 40-member strong house will be women.
The ruler of each emirate will now determine the number of seats allocated for women when electing their emirate’s representatives in FNC.
Leading Emirati women have praised the decision.
FNC Speaker Dr. Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, both said the move is a step in the right direction.
UAE launches $1 billion 'AI for Development' initiative in Africa
UAE President begins working visit to Bahrain
H.H. Sheikh Khaled, Vietnamese PM hold bilateral talks at G20 Summit
Gargash calls for 'immediate end' to Sudan's 'tragic civil war'
