First UAE female judge sworn in

In October 2008, Judge Khulood al Dhaheri, the UAE's first female judge, was sworn in. HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, stated: "The involvement of women in Government has been evidenced with the appointment of a female minister, the appointment of women to the Federal National Council and now the appointment of the first female judge. The decision to appoint female judges helps consolidate Emirati women's growing role in public life."