UAE Marks Emirati Women’s Day 2025 To Celebrate Achievements And Empowerment Of Women

The United Arab Emirates will mark Emirati Women's Day on 28th August, celebrating the achievements of Emirati women. This annual event highlights their contributions under the guidance of wise leadership. This year's theme, "Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years," commemorates the 50th anniversary of the General Women's Union, reflecting community partnership and sustained achievements over five decades.

H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, known as "The Mother of the Nation," is a key figure in the UAE women's movement. As Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), she has been instrumental in promoting modernity while preserving Arab and Islamic traditions. Her efforts have significantly empowered Emirati women across various sectors.

Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of GWU, emphasised that Emirati Women’s Day is a cherished occasion to celebrate women's accomplishments. Over fifty years, they have demonstrated leadership and contributed effectively to national development. The day embodies a vision that empowering women is crucial for sustainable development and societal prosperity.

The UAE's commitment to gender equality is evident in its global rankings. It holds the 13th position worldwide and leads regionally in the 2025 UNDP Gender Equality Index. Key milestones include legislation on equal pay and labour relations, ensuring equal opportunities for men and women in both public and private sectors.

The UAE National Strategy for Women Empowerment 2023–2031 builds on past achievements. Women now occupy half of the Federal National Council seats, placing the UAE among top countries for gender-balanced parliamentary representation. Additionally, women hold 26 percent of ministerial positions, leading vital portfolios like education and climate change.

Emirati women are prominent in entrepreneurship, with over 25,000 businesswomen owning more than 50,000 commercial licences. Their investments exceed AED60 billion. In education and technology, women make up 46 percent of STEM graduates and represent half of the workforce in the space sector.

The UAE's initiatives extend globally with projects like the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, Peace and Security initiative. This underscores a commitment to enhancing women's roles in dialogue, peace, security and development worldwide. Other efforts include supporting rural women in Africa through agricultural empowerment programmes.

Today, Emirati women constitute 71 percent of UAE nationals working in public and private sectors. They hold 63 percent of leadership roles within federal government entities and account for 13 percent of ambassadors abroad. These figures highlight their significant role in shaping national policies and international relations.

The UAE stands as a global model for protecting women's rights through supportive legislation such as its Constitution and federal laws ensuring equal opportunities. National mechanisms have played a pivotal role in overcoming challenges to women's empowerment across various sectors.

Noura Al Suwaidi noted that Emirati Women’s Day represents half a century of achievements that shaped history by establishing strong foundations for genuine national partnership. This legacy continues to inspire future generations to contribute meaningfully to nation-building efforts.

With inputs from WAM