Words By Allegra Salvadori

Each year on 28 August, the UAE honours Emirati Women’s Day — a national occasion founded in 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation. The day was established to celebrate the achievements of Emirati women and their vital role in shaping the country’s identity and future.

The date itself holds deep meaning. It marks the anniversary of the General Women’s Union, created in 1975 under Sheikha Fatima’s leadership as the first institution dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment in the UAE. Over the past five decades, Emirati women have made profound contributions across culture, science, entrepreneurship, and design, becoming leaders both at home and on the international stage.

For 2025, the theme “Hand in Hand, Celebrating 50 Years” highlights unity, shared responsibility, and the collective journey of Emirati women and men in nation-building. It is both a celebration of history and a call to the future — reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to gender equality, inclusion, and creativity.

From founding cultural institutions to shaping iconic design projects, Emirati women continue to define the fabric of the nation. As this year marks fifty years since the General Women’s Union was established, Emirati Women’s Day is not only a tribute to the past but also an invitation to imagine the next fifty years of innovation, leadership, and cultural legacy.