Emirati mothers are now entitled to up to three years of job-protected leave to care for their children, according to the provisions of Federal Law No. (57) of 2023, enacted by the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA).

This initiative aims to empower female citizens and support their roles in both the family and workforce while ensuring continued contributions towards end-of-service benefits.

The GPSSA has emphasized its commitment to elevating the status of Emirati women across various sectors, including legislation, education, economics, and politics, recognizing their vital contributions to national development.

The new law provides optional pension contribution rights tailored to accommodate the unique situation of working Emirati mothers.

In particular circumstances, the law also provides additional benefits for female heads of households, especially in the event of a spouse's passing.

Widows are permitted to merge their pension entitlements with those of their deceased husbands, enhancing financial stability during a challenging period.

As part of this redistribution, widows with children now receive a 40% share of the pension, while male and female children collectively receive the same percentage.

The legal framework has adjusted the entitlement shares, increasing the benefits available to widows at the expense of the children's shares.

Additionally, for married, divorced, or widowed women with children who have contributed to the GPSSA for 30 years and have reached the age of 55, the law decreases the necessary age and contribution period by two years for each of their fifth and sixth children and by 3.5 years for their seventh child.

Historically, prior to the enactment of Federal Law No. (57) of 2023, Emirati women were already provided some advantages under Federal Law No. (7) of 1999. This earlier legislation allowed women to purchase up to ten years of service for pension calculations, compared to a maximum of five years for men.

It also included provisions for the repayment of pension shares for female relatives.

Notably, the pension amounts for daughters are not suspended upon marriage, while sons lose their benefits upon reaching the age of 21, or 28 if they are students.

Furthermore, if a daughter, sister, or mother loses her spouse and is without alternate income, a pension share is allocated equivalent to the decedent's entitlement at the time of death.

Equal distribution of pensions is another key feature, ensuring that daughters receive the same share as sons.

Unlike inheritance laws, which can favor male beneficiaries, the federal pension law acknowledges women's rights by distributing pension benefits among eligible family members, reflecting the UAE's efforts to honor women's roles in society and facilitate their economic empowerment.