Maryam bint Muhammad Khalfan Al-Roumi

Former Minister of Social Affairs in the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates, until February 2016.

She was born on February 2, 1957, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) from the United Arab Emirates University in 1980. She has extensive practical experience in the field of administration and community affairs, which she gained through her academic studies, business, and the positions she held.

During her career, she held the following positions:
• Responsible for the Publications Department in the Marketing Department/Communications Corporation from April 1981-February 1982.
• Teaching assistant in the Department of Foreign Languages at the UAE University from March 1983-August 1983.
• President of the UAE Special Olympics from 1989-1994.
• Director of the care and rehabilitation centers for the disabled in the country and Director of the Special Groups Welfare Department at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs from April 1984 to February 1999.
• Chair of the Supreme Advisory Committee for Girls’ Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi 1990 – 1994.
• Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs - Social Affairs Sector from February 1999 - January 2006.
• Member of the Board of Directors of Dubai Healthcare City - Government of Dubai from October 2001 - April 2006.
• Member of the Marriage Fund Council, August 2005 - March 2006.
• President of the Marriage Fund Foundation, March 2006 - March 2008.
• Minister of Social Affairs, February 2006 - to date.

She also participated in membership in a number of public benefit associations and civil society organizations, such as:
• Member of the Board of Directors of the General Women’s Union 1984 – 1986 AD.
• Founding member of the Disabled Sports Federation in 1986.
• President of the UAE Special Olympics 1987.
• Member of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Disabled Sports Federation 1999 – 2000 AD.