A look at the history behind Emirati women’s day as this year’s annual day takes place on 28th August 2021.
Emirati Women’s Day was imagined by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation to celebrate the achievements of women from the UAE, we look back at the history of this day
Each year, on August 28th, the UAE celebrates the success and achievements of Emirati Women. Of course, these women should be celebrated every day but this moment is a well-deserved time for them to truly shine and to cherish and reflect on their achievements, progress and successes.
The first Emirati Women’s Day took place in 2015 and the date of August 28th was chosen by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to coincide with the birth of the General Women’s Union on August 28, 1975. This annual occasion which was conceptualised by Her Highness aims to recognise the contribution of the nation’s women and their role in the development and advancement of the UAE.
“The first celebration was in the year 2015, and in light of this occasion, the UAE people celebrated the great path of the late founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who established the foundations of wise leadership and what this country has achieved, where women were fortunate to bear the fruits of its renaissance,” said Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in 2015.
“There has been continuous attention to and advancement in the role of women, under the support of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, especially in the recent years, where women’s issues across all areas and sectors have become a top priority for developmental policies.”
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, is idolised by many Emirati women and credited with being the driving force behind women’s empowerment and achieving gender equality in the country. As the wife of the late UAE founder, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, she is regarded as the pioneer of women’s work in the UAE and the supporter and leader of women’s rights and advancement in the Emirates.
Her vision has always been to view human beings as equals no matter what their gender, background or upbringing. Her Highness’s strategic goal since the sixties has been to seek to elevate and empower women, not only as a key principle in her initiatives within the UAE but as a foundation of world peace. She strongly advocates for the necessity of change and redevelopment according to thorough plans and strategies, so that the developments keep pace with the future. Her Highness believes that creating a happy life is a process for everyone to master.
Out of her firm belief in women’s ability to actively contribute to the different fields of development, a belief which is based on women’s achievements in different fields of work, Her Highness developed initiatives to support women economically by providing them with facilities ensuring a proper balance between their professional and family responsibilities. Today, these initiatives continue to develop as a new generation of Emirati women are inspired by her vision and strive to take things to the next level.
Without Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation many women would never have found the courage and drive to do what they believe in and there is underlying gratitude amongst many of the women we meet in this issue for that. Read on to discover some of the incredible journeys of successful and inspiring women from the UAE.
