Five inspiring women we are celebrating this Emirati Women’s Day.
Drawing inspiration from the generations before them, these Emirati women share the stories behind their success and the legacy they hope to leave for those who follow.
This year marks a historic first for Emirati Women’s Day, as the annual observance expands into a month-long national celebration from August 28 to September 28, 2026.
The official theme, We Emerge Stronger and Better, reflects the strength, resilience and progress of Emirati women, as well as their contribution to the nation’s continued development.
In honour of this landmark celebration, we meet five inspiring women from across the country to hear the stories behind their achievements, learn more about their ambitions and discover what being an Emirati woman means to them.
Buthaina Bin Beyat, Artist and Urban Planner
Artist, designer and urban planner Buthaina Bin Beyat’s work spans painting, fibre art and textile weaving. Her multidisciplinary practice explores systems, landscape topography, terrain and abstract patterns found in nature, combining advanced hand-weaving with contemporary approaches to painting.
An alumna of London’s Royal College of Art, she is particularly interested in how traditional textile practices can be preserved and reinterpreted through contemporary art.
How did your interest in art and textiles begin?
My interest in fibre art began with a love of making by hand and an appreciation for the narrative potential of materials. Painting remains part of my practice, but weaving opened up new perspectives. Traditional textile techniques connect us to generations of makers, including our grandmothers, while offering endless possibilities for contemporary expression.
What ambition do you still hope to achieve?
I aspire to build a body of work that contributes to contemporary art while preserving and reimagining traditional textile practices. My goal is to combine painting, weaving and cultural research in a way that feels both personal and relevant today.
How do you hope your work will make a lasting impact?
I hope my art encourages people to view traditional crafts as a dynamic and evolving language. If it inspires others to cherish and preserve artisanal skills, cultural history and creativity, I believe I will have made a valuable contribution.
How has being an Emirati woman shaped you?
Being an Emirati woman means combining a strong cultural identity with an openness to transformation.
I grew up cherishing our traditions while living in a nation that encouraged me to dream and explore different opportunities. This balance gave me the confidence to pursue a career that reflects my true self.
What does Emirati Women’s Day mean to you?
It is a time to honour the women who paved the way for our dreams and to remind ourselves of our responsibility to make lasting contributions for the future.
What would you tell the next generation of Emirati women?
Stay true to yourself, have the courage to carve your own path and never stop learning.
We are fortunate to have a leadership that continues to empower and support Emirati women.
Alanoud Alhashmi, Founder and CEO of The Futurist Company
Emirati entrepreneur Alanoud Alhashmi is the founder and CEO of The Futurist Company, a UAE enterprise developing responses to agricultural and food-security challenges. Inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s commitment to agriculture, it unites scientists, engineers and technologists to address difficult terrain, climate pressures and ecosystem imbalance.
What does Emirati Women’s Day mean to you?
Above all, it is a moment of gratitude and reflection. The opportunities my generation enjoys grew from visionary leadership and women who challenged expectations.
I think of my grandmother, who lacked formal education and yet was one of the wisest people I knew, and my mother, who completed her degree while raising seven children. They taught me that leadership is defined by resilience, integrity and determination.
What is the one ambition you still hope to achieve?
I want to continue shaping ideas and initiatives that create lasting value for organisations and society. I also hope to develop future leaders by sharing knowledge, encouraging critical thinking and demonstrating how strategic communication can create meaningful change.
Success, for me, is building something that retains value when I am no longer in the room.
What would you tell the next generation of Emirati women?
Never underestimate the value of your voice. Embrace opportunities with courage, curiosity and commitment. Keep learning, ask difficult questions and do not be afraid to create your own path, but never lose sight of your values.
What has been the proudest achievement of your career?
I am most proud of the journey itself: continuing despite challenges, earning trust in spaces where I had to work harder to prove myself and remaining true to who I am.
I am proud that I never lost my voice and became the leader my grandmother and mother taught me to be: a woman who is resilient, principled, humble and purposeful.
What is the greatest strength of Emirati women?
Our ability to bridge worlds. Emirati women preserve heritage while driving innovation, think globally while remaining connected to their identity and pursue ambition without losing their sense of community. Having witnessed the UAE’s transformation within a generation, we understand that meaningful progress depends on vision, resilience and people.
Dana Alkatheeri, Pianist and Composer
At 21, Emirati pianist and composer Dana Alkatheeri is using music to share the UAE’s culture and heritage with audiences around the world. Blending classical piano with stories drawn from Emirati history, traditions and values, she has represented the country at events including Expo 2025 Osaka. In 2024, she received the Gulf Capital–ADMAF Creativity Award for her composition The Founder’s Legacy.
How did your musical journey begin?
My passion began during music classes at elementary school. My teacher recognised my potential and encouraged me to develop my talent, while my father’s unwavering support later gave me the confidence to grow as a pianist and composer.
Music became more than a passion. It offered a way to express my creativity, share Emirati culture and connect with people through a universal language.
How does your Emirati identity influence your work?
Being an Emirati woman has given me a strong sense of identity, pride and responsibility towards my country. I was raised with the values of respect, ambition, resilience and generosity, while being encouraged to pursue my dreams.
Through my work, I strive to represent my culture and preserve our heritage for future generations.
What would you most like to achieve next?
I hope to create a series of original compositions inspired by the UAE’s heritage, culture and stories.
My dream is for these works to be performed by professional orchestras locally and internationally, introducing audiences to Emirati culture through music. I also want to collaborate with other musicians and build a bridge between our cultural identity and contemporary classical music.
What advice would you offer Emirati women pursuing music?
Believe in your talent, remain true to your passion and never allow fear to hold you back. Dedication, perseverance and continuous learning can take you further than you imagine.
Be proud to represent your heritage through your art and do not be afraid to share your individual voice with the world.
What does Emirati Women’s Day mean to you?
It celebrates the trust, appreciation and opportunities our country gives Emirati women. It reflects our leadership’s belief in our potential and its commitment to empowering us across every field. The occasion inspires me to continue striving for excellence, contribute to my country’s progress and make a positive impact through my music.
Sara Al Khanjari, Founder of Celaeno and CEO of Celaeno Beauty
At just 27, Emirati entrepreneur Sara Al Khanjari has already built two brands around her interest in craftsmanship and thoughtful design. Her fashion label, Celaeno, moves away from fast-fashion cycles to create refined pieces intended to last. Celaeno Beauty takes inspiration from French perfumery, using premium French oils to produce niche fragrances manufactured in the UAE.
What does Emirati Women’s Day mean to you?
I believe every day is Emirati Women’s Day. Emirati women have played a vital role in building this country and continue to shape its future. The occasion is a reminder of everything they have achieved and everything they continue to accomplish.
What is one ambition you still hope to achieve?
Professionally, my dream is to take my brand to every corner of the world while proudly representing the UAE. I want people to see what an Emirati woman can achieve through passion, hard work and perseverance.
More than success, I want my work to have a positive impact and inspire others.
What is the mantra you live by?
Be patient. Trust the process, keep believing in yourself and do not give up when things become difficult. Everything has a way of working out, and every challenge will eventually become part of your story.
How has being an Emirati woman shaped you?
I am proud and grateful to come from a country that believes in empowering women and gives us opportunities to succeed.
Seeing Emirati women excel in medicine, engineering, design, business and space exploration taught me to be independent, resilient, ambitious and fearless. They showed me that no dream is too large when you are prepared to work for it.
What is the greatest strength of Emirati women?
I believe their greatest strengths are courage, determination and a strong work ethic. Emirati women do not allow obstacles or other people’s expectations to define what they can achieve. I have seen them excel both at home and internationally, making a positive contribution across many fields.
Moza Al Falasi, Multidisciplinary Artist
Dubai-based Emirati artist Moza Al Falasi works across painting, photography, mixed media, printmaking, sound and fabric. Her practice examines memory, loss, domestic vulnerability and inherited intergenerational grief, using different media to express experiences that can be difficult to articulate. Her debut solo exhibition was recently held at Tashkeel in Dubai.
When and how did your passion for art begin?
My passion for art began at a young age as a way to express myself. Over time, it became a means of telling stories, conveying human experiences and connecting with others.
How have you seen the UAE’s art scene evolve?
The country’s art scene has grown tremendously, creating more opportunities for artists through exhibitions, cultural initiatives and international collaborations. It is an exciting time to be part of the UAE’s creative community.
What ambition do you still hope to achieve?
I hope to continue growing as an artist, exhibiting my work internationally and creating pieces that inspire meaningful conversations.
How do you hope your work will make a lasting impact?
I hope my work can become a voice for those who struggle to express their inner emotions, taking viewers on a journey towards self-discovery, acceptance and inner peace. If my art can help even one person understand themselves more clearly or find comfort, it has made a meaningful impact.
What advice would you offer Emirati women entering the arts industry?
Be patient, keep learning and trust your own creative voice. Remain committed to your journey and do not be afraid to share your work with the world.
What does Emirati Women’s Day mean to you?
Emirati Women’s Day celebrates the achievements and contributions of women who continue to shape our nation. For me, it is also a time to reflect on my own journey and express gratitude for those who have inspired and supported me, including Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum, founder of Tashkeel, whose vision and support have been truly inspiring.
