The 10th edition of Emirati Women’s Day is a time for reflection.
It’s the day of each year when we pause as a community and look at the incredible achievements of the women of the UAE. As well as celebrating accomplishments, we offer gratitude to the country that made them all possible.
This year, we are spotlighting four extraordinary women whose stories embody the spirit of resilience and pride that defines the UAE.
Amira Sajwani is a dynamic Emirati business leader. She is the Managing Director of Sales & Development at DAMAC Properties, Founder & CEO of PRYPCO, and Co-founder & COO of Amali Properties. Her leadership at DAMAC encompasses the full property lifecycle, from design to sales and marketing. Through PRYPCO, she has redefined real estate transactions, and with Amali Properties, co-founded with her brother Ali Sajwani, she has introduced ultra-luxury villas. Amira is also a judge on the reality TV series Shark Tank.
Amira shares…
“Emirati Women’s Day is a celebration of our resilience, vision, and brilliance, honouring the pioneers who paved the way, the leaders shaping today, and the changemakers building tomorrow.
With the guidance of our nation’s leadership and the unwavering support of Her Highness Sheikha Fatma bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Emirati women are not only breaking barriers but redefining what is possible across every field. Our true strength lies not just in the roles we hold, but in the impact we create.
On this day, I wish every Emirati woman the courage to keep dreaming boldly, the strength to keep breaking boundaries, and the pride of knowing you are shaping a brighter future for us all.”
With more than 20 years of experience in the airline industry, Fatma Al Sahlawi is the Director of HR Business Partnering at Etihad Airways. Since joining the airline in 2012, she has held key leadership roles across Airport Services, Engineering, Commercial & Revenue, IT, and Finance. She has also spearheaded national development and leadership programmes in collaboration with world-class universities, mentoring the next generation of leaders. A certified coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Fatma leads with empathy.
Fatma shares…
“For me, being an Emirati woman is a profound source of pride. We come from vision, resilience, respect, and perseverance, qualities that have built a nation once unimaginable, now admired across the world.
In my role at Etihad, I carry this spirit forward. I am driven by a passion for innovation, for finding solutions that ensure our airline continues to attract and nurture the best talent. Every challenge is an opportunity to create something stronger, something that lasts.
As a mother, I weave these same values into the way I raise my children. I teach them to dream with vision, to believe in their ability to make a difference, and to build resilience while taking pride in who they are and what they represent. Above all, I remind them to honour where we come from and to carry that legacy forward into what we will become.
My dream is simple yet powerful: that every young Emirati grows with vision, and transforms that vision into reality for the future of our country.”
Ebtisam Al Beiti is a published Emirati children’s author and early years professional whose work celebrates the power of self-belief and positivity in young children. With three children’s books to her name, she has been invited to international literature festivals, including the prestigious Bradford Literature Festival (July 2024) and the Toronto International Festival of Authors (September 2024). She has also been a panellist in early years education and served as a judge at the Top School Awards of Dubai 2021 and The WonderMom Awards 2024.
Ebtisam shares…
“As we prepare to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day, I feel so proud to hold my head high as an Emirati woman. Being an Emirati author is such a privilege, and it means the world to me to stand alongside so many inspiring Emirati women who lead with passion and purpose.
The UAE has always believed in its women, honouring us as powerful and meaningful contributors to society. I feel truly grateful to play my part—especially through writing for children, our youngest and most precious members. They are tomorrow’s future, and if my stories can touch their hearts and spark their imagination, then I know I am giving back, in my own way, to my country.”
Manar Alali is the Founder & CEO of By Manar Alali, an interior design studio that brings modern spaces to life. An interior design consultant and content creator, Manar combines her professional expertise with a passion for transforming homes into sanctuaries.
A graduate of Sharjah University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing, she spent 14 years building a successful career in tourism and marketing before pursuing her true calling in design. Her journey began in 2019 while building her own home, a process that sparked her creative path. To refine her craft, she undertook multiple courses in interior design, sharpening her skills.
In 2023, Manar officially launched her studio, By Manar Alali, with the mission of blending functionality, elegance, and individuality in every project. Today, she continues to inspire through both her consultancy work and her creative content, offering clients and followers a vision of modern living.
Manar shares…
“To be an Emirati woman is my greatest pride. I carry within me the values of generosity, respect, and resilience that I grew up with, and I see them as the foundation of who I am today. Being Emirati means honouring my heritage, my culture, and the legacy of our leaders, while also embracing the opportunities of a modern, forward-looking nation.
As an Emirati woman, I am empowered to dream without limits, to achieve, to create, and to contribute — all while staying rooted in the traditions that shaped me. I live in balance between where I come from and where I am going, proud to represent my country and to be part of a generation of women building the future of the UAE.”
