UAE mocked after it shares all male photos from 'gender balance' awards

The United Arab Emirates government has been mocked on social media after it shared photos from its recent gender balance award ceremony. The pictures lacked any women.

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was prominently featured in the photos where he presented awards to men in three categories, including Best Personality Supporting Gender Balance, Best Federal Authority Supporting Gender Balance and Best Gender Balance Initiative.

What was the response?

Twitter users quickly responded to the photos shared Monday. Many mocked the awards and pointed out the noticeable absence of women in the pictures.

"I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you, but you forgot to invite WOMEN," Rianne Meijer responded.

"Congratulations....men! hey, next year, add a token woman in the photos for optics, okay? a tip," Susan Szews tweeted.

"Congratulations, you guys. Way to punch inequality squarely in the gut. Just a few more centuries and then you're there," Woelf Dietrich wrote.

What else?

The Dubai Media Office followed its first tweet with another that offered a quote from Sheikh Mohammed, along with several more photos including a group photo with five women and another that shows a woman standing near one of the award's 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," Dubai Media Office tweeted in a quote by Sheikh Mohammed.

It's unclear what role the women in the photos may have played at the award ceremony.