The UAE government appointed eight new ministers to cabinet posts following the announcement of a major restructuring initiative by UAE Vice-president and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum on 8 February.

The appointment of five new female cabinet members, including that of 22-year-old Shamma al-Mazroui to the Youth Affairs Ministry, is being seen as a major development towards a more inclusive government.

Some of these appointments include that of Mohammed al-Bowardi as the new minister of state for defence affairs. Al-Bowardi was undersecretary of defence, who Sheikh Mohammed said possessed “a history rich with achievements in the service of our country”.

Al-Bowardi holds key positions in various Abu Dhabi-based entities. Among other positions, he is serving as vice-chairman of Mubadala and Dolphin Energy, is a board member at Tawazun Holding, and chairman of two other committees: Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee and the Committee for Developing and Implementing the Water and Agriculture Strategy of Abu Dhabi.

His profile also indicates that he has a degree in history and political science from the US’ Lewis & Clark College.

Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi has been named minister of state of tolerance, following the merging of the International Cooperation and Development Ministry, which Sheikha Lubna previously headed, with the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Najla al-Awar was named minister of community development, formerly the Social Affairs Ministry, while Jameela al-Muhairi has been named state minister for Public Education Affairs.

The two remaining new  female cabinet appointees are Ohood al-Roumi, who will now head the newly created Happiness Ministry, and Noura al-Kaabi, who was named minister of state for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs. Al-Kaabi was a member of the UAE legislative body, and her previous role meant she can be the best link between the FNC and the cabinet, according to Sheikh Mohammed.

The FNC elected its first female chairperson, Amal Abdullah Juma Karam al-Qubaisi, on 17 November 2015.