The first Emirati Women’s Day was celebrated 10 years ago on August 28. The date was chosen by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to coincide with the anniversary of the General Women’s Union, which she established in 1975 to support and advance women’s development in the UAE.
At the time, Sheikha Fatima described the day as a chance to celebrate the “achievements and ambitions” of Emirati women across all areas, from government and business to culture and the home. It was also intended to underline the role women play in the country’s progress and to encourage their continued participation in building the nation.
The first celebration was relatively modest, honouring female military personnel and their sacrifices, roles and contributions. Since then, Emirati Women’s Day has evolved beyond recognition to emphasise women as equal partners in shaping the UAE’s future.
Each year carries a theme that highlights an aspect of women’s contributions. Past examples include Women and Innovation in 2016 to Women on the Course of Zayed in 2018.
This year’s theme, Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years, marks five decades of the General Women’s Union and its enduring legacy. It honours Emirati women’s achievements while underscoring the importance of community partnership in driving the country’s progress.
Beyond the annual themes, the impact of Emirati Women’s Day is reflected in the roles women now occupy. Women hold 50 per cent of the seats in the Federal National Council, and 26 per cent of ministerial positions. In education and technology, they make up 46 per cent of Stem graduates in the UAE and constitute half of the national workforce in the space sector. Emirati women represent 55 per cent of the UAE’s labour force.
They have played a central role in the space programme, with Sarah Al Amiri emerging as a key figure in the 2021 Mars Mission and now serving as Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, while Nora Al Matrooshi became the first Emirati and Arab female astronaut to graduate from Nasa training in 2024. Marwa Al Mamari became the UAE’s first Emirati woman aerospace engineer.
In July, Samira Al Ali became the first woman to achieve the rank of brigadier in the 69-year history of Dubai Police.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
AWARDS
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if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
