Dubai: The United Arab Emirates is set to celebrate Emirati Women’s Day tomorrow, 28th August. Observed annually, the national occasion honors the contributions and achievements of Emirati women under the guidance of the country’s leadership.

According to Emirates News Agency, this year’s celebration will be under the theme ‘Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years’, marking the 50th anniversary of the General Women’s Union. The occasion reflects community partnership and the sustained achievements of Emirati women over the past five decades. The theme embodies the participatory spirit that characterizes the UAE’s approach to women’s empowerment, emphasizing continued collaboration across all segments of society.

H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, known as ‘The Mother of the Nation’, is recognized as a pioneer of the women’s movement in the UAE. She established the General Women’s Union with a vision that embraces modernity while safeguarding Arab and Islamic traditions. On this occasion, Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of GWU, highlighted the significance of Emirati Women’s Day as a national occasion to recall the accomplishments of Emirati women, who have proven their ability to lead and contribute effectively to the nation’s development journey over the past fifty years.

The GWU Secretary-General told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the occasion embodies the leadership’s vision, affirming that empowering women is essential to advancing sustainable development and fostering a cohesive and prosperous society. She added that the efforts of H.H. Sheikha Fatima have been pivotal in empowering Emirati women and strengthening their role across social, educational, and economic fields.

Building on this legacy, the UAE ranked 13th globally and 1st regionally in the 2025 UNDP Gender Equality Index. Key milestones included the 2018 Cabinet approval of the first legislation on equal pay and the UAE National Strategy for Women Empowerment 2023-2031. Women now hold 50 percent of the Federal National Council seats, placing the UAE among the top countries for gender-balanced parliamentary representation.

Currently, 26 percent of ministerial positions are occupied by women, who lead key portfolios. Emirati women also represent 71 percent of UAE nationals in the public and private sectors, 63 percent of leadership roles in the federal government, and 13 percent of the country’s ambassadors abroad. In entrepreneurship, more than 25,000 businesswomen own over 50,000 commercial licenses and investments exceeding AED60 billion.

In education and technology, women account for 46 percent of STEM graduates and comprise 50 percent of the national workforce in the space sector. Women also represent 55 percent of the overall labor force, showcasing the UAE as a global model in protecting women’s rights with supportive legislation.

The UAE’s efforts in empowering women have extended globally, launching several initiatives like the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, Peace and Security initiative, and the Arab Women’s Economic Empowerment Observatory. These initiatives underscore the UAE’s commitment to enhancing women’s roles in fostering dialogue, peace, security, and development, both nationally and internationally.