The United Arab Emirates has initiated a nationwide campaign to mark Emirati Women’s Day 2026, extending through 28 September under the theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better”.
The annual observance reflects decades of institutional support championed by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation”, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC), and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF). Early institutional foundations began with the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Women’s Association in 1973, followed by the creation of the General Women’s Union in 1975 to serve as an umbrella organisation for national empowerment efforts.
Subsequent legislative frameworks enforcing equal opportunities and equal pay have accelerated representation across decision-making bodies. Women currently hold 50 per cent of seats in the Federal National Council and fill 63 per cent of government leadership roles. Between 2021 and 2025, female participation in the labour market expanded by 101.92 per cent, with women accounting for 74 per cent of beneficiaries under the Nafis employment scheme.
Commercial activity shows parallel expansion, with 2025 figures indicating that over 25,000 Emirati businesswomen manage more than 50,000 commercial licences, representing capital investments above Dh60 billion.
In technical disciplines, female students account for 70 per cent of university graduates nationwide and 46 per cent of graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This academic pipeline supports critical state projects, including the UAE National Space Programme, where women comprise nearly 80 per cent of the Hope Probe scientific team. Specialized workforce development continues through strategic programmes such as the Cyber Pulse Initiative for Women and Family and the Empowering Women Farmers initiative.
Future policy direction is structured under the Mother of the Nation 50:50 Vision, designed to strengthen long-term female involvement in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and advanced technology. Internationally, the country funds capacity-building frameworks, including the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women, Peace and Security Initiative and the Fatima bint Mubarak Initiative for Digital Leadership for African Women, aimed at expanding economic and governance participation across emerging markets.
