Sharjah Announces Winners Of Gulf Women’s Creativity Award For 2025 Celebrating Literary Achievements

The Cultural Office of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah has announced the winners of the seventh edition of the Sharjah Award for Gulf Women’s Creativity for 2025. This announcement was made under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

In the Critical Studies category, Dr. Sabah bin Abdul Karim Isawi from Saudi Arabia received recognition for her research titled "The Dialectic of Self and the Other in Arabic Travel Literature: A Critical Perspective." Prof. Nadia Hanawi Saadon from Iraq was also honoured for her work "Self and the Other in Imaginary Travel Narratives." The Jury Prize went to Soumaya Ali Raheef, also from Iraq, for her study "Opposites Attract: The Self and the Other in Short Stories," which analysed "Giants and Dwarfs of the Sea" by Fathiya Al-Nimr.

In Classical Poetry, Dr. Dalal bin Bandar Al-Maliki from Saudi Arabia won with her poetry collection "Coma." Another winner from Saudi Arabia, Afaf bin Hussein Al-Harbi, was recognised for her work titled "On the Thresholds of Absence."

Honouring Children's Literature

The Children’s Literature – Short Story category saw Badriya bin Mohammed Al-Badri from Oman winning with her story "Me and My Friend." Maryam Khalifa Al-Shehhi from UAE was awarded for her story "What Does It Mean to Belong?" Additionally, Nada Ahmed Fardan from Bahrain received the Jury Prize for her story "The Amazing Shampoo of Feelings."

An announcement is expected soon regarding the Cultural Personality of the Year. This accolade will honour a prominent Gulf woman who has made significant literary contributions and holds cultural influence.

Award's Purpose and Evolution

The Sharjah Award for Gulf Women’s Creativity was established to support and showcase creative achievements by Gulf women in literature and critical studies. It aims to enrich contemporary Gulf literature while fostering healthy competition among female writers. Salha Ghabish, Head of the Cultural Office, noted an increased participation rate this year compared to previous editions, with all entries meeting award criteria.

This award is unique within the GCC as it celebrates women’s excellence across storytelling, poetry, theatre, and children’s literature. To encourage diverse literary contributions, its structure is periodically revised. This year's edition featured three main categories: Critical Studies, Classical Poetry, and Children’s Literature – Short Story. In a previous edition, Playwriting was introduced under storytelling to expand participation opportunities.

By continuously adapting its categories, this initiative seeks to foster a dynamic literary movement in the Gulf region. It nurtures creativity and cultural enrichment across various literary forms.

With inputs from WAM