The United Arab Emirates has been slammed on social media after it announced that all the winners of a gender equality in the workplace initiative were men.
Photos of the state's Gender Balance Index awards were tweeted by the Dubai Media Office on Sunday, showing a selection of men winning awards including "Best Personality for Supporting Gender Balance".
UAE vice president and ruler of Dubai Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was photographed posing with the recipients.
"We are proud of the success of Emirati women and their role is central to shaping the future of the country. Gender balance has become a pillar in our governmental institutions," the account later tweeted.
But the tweets were immediately met with derision on social media.
The World Economic Forum ranked the UAE 121st out of 149 countries by gender equality in education, health and participation in politics and the economy in a 2018 report.
Last December, the UAE decided that women should make up half its semi-elected advisory body when it is renewed this year.
This will increase the number of women on the UAE council, which expresses opinion about public issues including bills and government budgets, but has no role in forming or dismissing cabinets or ministers, from nine to 20.
Critics say the UAE's laws are still highly discriminatory. Marital rape is not a crime while domestic violence is permitted as long as "assault does not exceed the limits of Islamic law", according to Human Rights Watch.
Additional reporting: Reuters
