Sheikha Fatima: The Story of UAE’s Mother of the Nation

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi is celebrated across the Emirates as the “Mother of the Nation,” yet her true legacy extends far beyond ceremonial titles. She is the quiet strategist behind a social transformation that redefined the role of women in the UAE, weaving together tradition, diplomacy, and reform into a vision that has shaped the nation’s identity for more than half a century.

Born in the Bedouin heartland of Al-Hayer in Al Ain, Sheikha Fatima’s early life was steeped in the values of resilience, hospitality, and loyalty — principles that would later anchor her leadership. From founding the UAE’s first women’s organizations in the 1970s to championing universal girls’ education, adult literacy, and women’s political participation, she has consistently turned advocacy into policy, and policy into lasting change.

Her influence is visible in the institutions she built — the General Women’s Union, the Family Development Foundation, and the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood — and in the global recognition she has earned for advancing gender equity in the Arab world. Yet, much of her story remains untold: the personal convictions that guided her, the strategic alliances she forged, and the cultural negotiations she navigated to ensure that progress did not come at the expense of heritage.

This is the story of a leader who understood that empowering women was not merely a social cause, but a national imperative — and who, in doing so, helped script the UAE’s journey from a young federation to a global voice for gender parity.

Early Life and Marriage to Sheik Zayed

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“The late Sheik Zayed taught me that as long as we are alive, we must hold on to our dreams and ambitions, and continue working to achieve them. He also taught us ambitions have no limits.” — Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation

Growing up in Al Ain

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi was born around 1943 in Al Hayer, Al Ain city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Her deeply religious and conservative Bedouin family’s values shaped her early years. The simplicity and traditional Bedouin culture became fundamental aspects of her personality and life perspective. Her childhood centered around Islamic teachings. She studied the Holy Quran, its interpretation, and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet) with great dedication.

Her passion for knowledge led her to explore literature and humanities. She developed a special connection with poetry. This combination of traditional and literary education prepared her exceptionally well for her future role in Emirati society.

Marriage to Sheik Zayed and early influence

A mosque became the setting where Sheikha Fatima met Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1960. At the time, he served as the Ruler’s representative in the Eastern Region. Their marriage that year marked the beginning of a powerful partnership. Her strong personality made her Sheik Zayed’s most influential spouse.

Sheikha Fatima moved to Abu Dhabi city with Sheik Zayed after he became the ruler of Abu Dhabi on August 16, 1966. She continued to expand her knowledge base over the next several years. Her studies included deeper exploration of Quran, Sunna, history, languages, and human sciences. She balanced these intellectual pursuits with her duties as Abu Dhabi Ruler’s wife and mother.

The country’s most decisive moments saw Sheikha Fatima standing firmly beside Sheik Zayed, especially when they had the task of establishing the United Arab Emirates. She backed his modernization efforts and witnessed the political developments that created the UAE on December 2, 1971.

Becoming the Mother of the Nation

Sheikha Fatima carved her own influential path after the UAE’s formation. She acted as “women’s ambassador” to the President and met female leaders twice weekly before establishing the Women’s Union in 1975. Her exceptional commitment to women’s advancement earned her the title “Mother of the Nation.” This honor became official on March 21, 2005, during International Women’s Day[41].

These early years showed Sheikha Fatima’s remarkable qualities that would become her legacy—modesty, tolerance, openness to others, determination, and boundless love for charitable work within and beyond the UAE. She achieved a perfect balance between modern developments and Islamic values. Her approach honored Arab traditions while she remained devoted to her family and children’s needs.

Founding the Women’s Movement in the UAE

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi transformed women’s rights across the Emirates through her groundbreaking vision in the 1970s. She skillfully balanced cultural values with progressive reform, which created enduring institutions that shape Emirati society to this day.

Establishment of the General Women’s Union (GWU)

The General Women’s Union’s (GWU) creation on August 28, 1975, changed the landscape for Emirati women forever. Sheikha Fatima, as the first Chairwoman, built an organization dedicated to elevating women’s status in the UAE. The GWU network grew to 41 branches and centers throughout the seven emirates. These centers ran programs that strengthened women’s role in national development. Sheikha Fatima’s leadership led to women’s committees in government ministries and created training programs that enabled women to join the workforce.

Campaigns for girls’ education and literacy

Education became the life-blood of women’s progress under Sheikha Fatima’s guidance. She launched nationwide literacy campaigns focused on women and girls. Her work revolutionized educational access, and today female enrollment numbers are higher than males in higher education. She also created adult education programs that helped older women learn to read and write. These programs bridged the gap between traditional roles and modern opportunities.

Creation of the Family Development Foundation

Sheikha Fatima broadened her impact by launching the Family Development Foundation in 2006. This organization tackled wider social needs by providing complete support systems for families, particularly focusing on women’s welfare. The foundation’s programs ranged from family counseling to job training, which created lasting paths for women’s social and economic growth.

Role in the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood

The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood flourished under Sheikha Fatima’s leadership as Chairwoman. The council created national strategies that protected children’s rights while supporting mothers through healthcare programs and parenting guidance. Her work ensured that motherhood received proper recognition both as a cultural value and an area needing specialized support.

Championing Women in Society and Sports

“The [Emirati] woman now works in all fields. She has managed to change many social perceptions and to prove to the whole world her capability, success and excellence.” — Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation

Sheikha Fatima’s vision went beyond education and social foundations to create platforms that celebrate women’s achievements in every sector of society.

Launch of Emirati Women’s Day

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak chose August 28th to launch Emirati Women’s Day in 2015. The date marks the founding anniversary of the General Women’s Union from 1975. This yearly celebration expresses Emirati women’s contributions and shows UAE’s success in strengthening women’s position. Sheikha Fatima’s 2024 message praised Emirati women for “their exceptional accomplishments across various fields, inspiring entrepreneurship and empowerment”.

Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy

The 14-year old Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) is a government body that promotes women’s sports. Sheikha Fatima’s patronage helps make sports central to Emirati women’s daily lives, whatever their age, background, or physical condition. The academy organizes local, regional, and international sports events while developing talent through education programs.

Sheikha Fatima Award for Woman Athletes

The Fatima bint Mubarak Women Sports Award leads the region as a first-of-its-kind initiative with AED 2 million in prizes spread over eight categories. This award celebrates sporting excellence and creates an environment where female athletes can excel.

Support for women in military and police

Women’s participation in military and police sectors gets strong support from Sheikha Fatima. The Khawla Bint Al Azwar Military School runs peace and security training programs that benefit women from many countries.

Global Recognition and Enduring Legacy

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Sheikha Fatima’s dedication to strengthening women’s rights has brought her worldwide recognition. She stands as a global champion for women’s rights and human development.

UNESCO Marie Curie Medal and other awards

Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak created history in 1999. UNESCO awarded her the Marie Curie Medal for her remarkable work in education, literacy eradication, and women’s advancement. She became the third international figure and first Arab personality to receive this prestigious award. UN Women and the Global Partnerships Forum recognized her contributions with the “Agent of Change Award” in 2017. The award celebrated her success in advancing gender equality nationally and internationally.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) celebrated Sheikha Fatima’s leadership role during its 80th anniversary in February 2025. Her achievements in strengthening women and promoting sustainable development earned special recognition. She has received more than forty prestigious international awards. Six different United Nations organizations honored her contributions in 1997.

National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security

Sheikha Fatima unveiled the UAE National Action Plan on March 30, 2021. The plan implements UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. UAE became the first Gulf Cooperation Council country to develop such a complete framework. The initiative aims to boost women’s role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. It also promotes gender equality in humanitarian aid.

Her influence on future generations of Emirati women

The Mother of the Nation’s vision continues to shape UAE society through innovative policies. She launched the groundbreaking “Mother of the Nation 50:50 Vision” in 2025. This ambitious roadmap charts women’s advancement until 2075. The initiative focuses on three main goals: making UAE a leader in women’s quality of life, establishing the country as a global model for strengthening women, and positioning UAE among top governments shaping women’s future.

Her guidance has helped Emirati women secure 30% of the diplomatic corps positions. Nine female ministers now serve in the UAE cabinet. Her lasting influence inspires countless women to excel in fields previously unavailable to them.

Sheikha Fatima’s incredible rise from a traditionally raised young woman to the “Mother of the Nation” shows her extraordinary vision and steadfast dedication. She masterfully balanced Islamic values and Bedouin traditions with progressive ideals that revolutionized women’s status in the Emirates. The General Women’s Union, which she founded in 1975, became the cornerstone of institutional support for women that thrives today.

Her initiatives created waves of change beyond just organizations. Female literacy rates have skyrocketed, and women now outnumber men in higher education enrollment. Emirati women serve proudly as ministers, diplomats, and leaders in many sectors. Education remains the foundation of progress in Sheikha Fatima’s approach. She created opportunities for women to excel in sports, military service, and international peacekeeping efforts.

The most remarkable aspect is how Sheikha Fatima created a women’s empowerment model that fits perfectly with Emirati culture. She didn’t simply copy Western feminism. Instead, she built frameworks that respect traditional values while creating modern opportunities. This unique approach earned her worldwide acclaim, including the UNESCO Marie Curie Medal and many prestigious awards.

Her vision shapes national policy through bold initiatives like the “Mother of the Nation 50:50 Vision” that maps women’s advancement until 2075. Emirati Women’s Day celebrations remind us of achievements and future goals. The foundations Sheikha Fatima built will benefit future generations of Emirati women. Her legacy lives on through her institutions and the cultural transformation she sparked.

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi stands as a role model. Her life proves that dedication to principles combined with practical action can reshape society. She teaches us that real change needs visionary leadership and persistent effort. UAE women now enjoy unprecedented opportunities because of her lifelong service while staying connected to their cultural heritage.