Emirati Women’s Day is celebrated on August 28 annually in the UAE. This year, the celebration is particularly special as it coincides with the graduation of Nora Al Matrooshi from NASA’s astronauts’ programme. After two years of intense training, Nora, the UAE’s first female astronaut, is the living embodiment of the idea that Emirati women really can aim for the sky. 

Women have played a pivotal role in Emirati communities, with traditions dating back far longer than the formation of the country in 1971. They have been key in social and cultural events led by the community, perfecting craftwork and artistic styles that have become the defining characteristics of the nation’s art scene, all while playing a leading role within the family and the upbringing of children.

Before the discovery of oil, the pearl trade was the region’s most important economic asset, with many men going out to sea, sometimes for months at a time. It was during these long spells apart that women had to rely on their own skills in trade and farming to provide for their families. This sense of female independence remains engrained within Emirati culture to this day.

Back then, women also had an important role in education, where female teachers taught basic knowledge of the Quran to girls and boys through open-air schools under the Areesh, simple houses patched with palm fronds. Their role as teachers was prominent and deserved recognition, and I was fortunate enough to meet one such teacher, who was eloquent in her speech and had great knowledge.

Women have always had their place in the cultural and creative arena. A shining example is the poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, also known as Fatat Al-Arab. She left us a legacy of captivating and timeless poems imbued with imagery and beauty. And today, the UAE cultural community is rich with an array of creative women shining in the areas of literature and art.

 Our leadership, headed by the founder of the state, the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, realised the importance of the role played by Emirati women. They were given special importance and encouraged to educate and hold jobs that conserved their dignity and respect, preserving their status as mothers and family caretakers. Improving female education was also a national goal given extra attention by Sheikh Zayed, with the introduction of compulsory education and the growth of universities in the country. 

It was difficult at that time for some parents to accept sending girls to schools and universities, so Sheikh Zayed took the initiative to bring in his daughters to urge all individuals to do the same, and many did just that.

This journey of women empowerment in the UAE was initiated by the Mother of the Nation, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU) and president of the Family Development Foundation. In March 2015, she launched the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women in the UAE. The strategy provides a framework for government, private sector, and civil society organisations to establish work plans to position the country among the most advanced in women’s empowerment. Emirati women in turn proved their ability to balance between family chores and daily responsibilities at work.

This progress has continued in recent years, with women assuming higher positions in pivotal arenas ranging from education, politics, diplomacy, and police services, all the way to economic, cultural, social, intellectual, medical sectors, and many more. Emirati women are motivated by leadership, responsibility and the fortitude to contribute to looking ahead toward the future.

Since its formation, the UAE has placed great importance on the empowerment of its citizens, male and female alike. The country’s constitution also guarantees equality of rights – providing health services, education, and job opportunities. 

The UAE is committed to enhancing women’s rights both at home and at work, basing its commitment on the belief that female empowerment is imperative to the advancement of a progressive society.

 To further build on the equal rights stated in the constitution, women in the UAE are empowered with a set of laws and decrees to ensure their equal access to education, jobs, social and health benefits, as well as holding government offices. The UAE has also set special policies, laws, and initiatives to protect women and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in all aspects of society.

Her Excellency Dr Amal Al Qubaisi was the first woman in the Arab world to be elected as speaker of the Federal National Council in 2015, which is the equivalent of parliament in the UAE. In fact, women hold 50 per cent of the council’s seats, one of the highest percentages globally. And, among the ministers in the UAE government, nine of them are women. In the judicial branch, there are 22 female judges and there is a continuous increase in the number of women choosing to engage in legal professions. 

In the field of economic empowerment, women in the UAE participate actively in the private sector in various roles. They have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance, and natural resources, in accordance with national laws.

 The UAE’s women have attained, since the country’s unification, endless achievements in almost all sectors, starting with the most basic female role of motherhood and building from there. 

We should be immensely proud of this and continue to build on our achievements.

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