Abu dhabi: The UAE will commemorate Emirati Women's Day tomorrow, 28th August, marking a significant step in its journey of women's empowerment, with Emirati women playing pivotal roles in nation-building and future shaping. The celebration, themed 'We Emerge Stronger and Better', aims to enhance the country's achievements and progress.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year's celebration will extend from 28th August to 28th September 2026, serving as a platform to launch initiatives, recognize achievements, and highlight inspiring role models across the nation. H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, known as the 'Mother of the Nation', has been instrumental in empowering Emirati women and institutionalizing women's work since the establishment of the General Women's Union in 1975.
The UAE's commitment to women's empowerment is evident in its legislative framework promoting equal opportunities and rights in employment, education, and services. Women now occupy 50 percent of the seats in the Federal National Council and hold around 63 percent of leadership positions in the government sector. The UAE's achievements have been recognized globally, ranking first regionally in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025 and second globally in women's representation in parliament.
Between 2021 and 2025, women's participation in the labor market increased by 101.92 percent, with women making up 74 percent of the Nafis program beneficiaries. In entrepreneurship, the UAE hosts over 25,000 Emirati businesswomen with investments exceeding AED60 billion. Additionally, women account for around 50 percent of the UAE National Space Programme employees and 80 percent of the Hope Probe's scientific team.
Emirati women's presence is also growing in STEM fields, with over 46 percent of STEM graduates and around 70 percent of university graduates being women. Initiatives like the Cyber Pulse Initiative and the Empowering Women Farmers initiative further expand women's participation in strategic sectors.
The UAE's efforts to empower women extend globally through initiatives like the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, Peace and Security Initiative and the Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for Digital Leadership for African Women, highlighting the nation's commitment to advancing women's roles in leadership, technology, and development worldwide.