“The Daughters of Zayed”: Empowering the Future of the UAE

Emirati Women’s Day stands as a tribute to the most important achievements of women who have shaped UAE’s journey from the beginning. This celebration, now three years old, honors the nation’s influential daughters. UAE’s founding father Sheik Zayed created a powerful vision of gender equality through his words: “Nothing would delight me more than to see a woman take up her distinctive position in society, and nothing should hinder her progress”.

His vision has brought remarkable results. UAE leads the Arab world in women’s rights based on the Arab Women Foundation’s 2017 report. Emirati women now occupy 9 ministerial seats and half of all parliamentary positions. They make up 43% of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs workforce. UAE’s commitment earned them the top spot in the World Economic Forum’s Women’s Respect Index in 2014. Mother of the Nation, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, carries Sheik Zayed’s legacy forward. Her unwavering commitment to women’s advancement has built a strong foundation that allows future generations to excel across all sectors of society.

The Vision of Sheik Zayed: Laying the Foundation

Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s visionary leadership laid the groundwork for women’s advancement in the UAE. His forward-thinking approach to gender equality became the life-blood that built modern Emirati women’s success. “Nothing makes me happier than to see women assume their rightful role in society and realize their potential,” Sheik Zayed once declared. His philosophy shaped national policies for decades to come.

Strengthening women through education

Sheik Zayed saw education as the main gateway to women’s progress. He pushed families to send their daughters to school, which challenged the widespread cultural norms at the time. His bold stance changed society’s mindset in places where local traditions had kept girls away from schools. Dr. Mona Al Bahar from the UAE University noted that Sheik Zayed “attached high priority to human development without discrimination between males and females”.

The results of this educational focus showed quickly. The UAE reached equal levels between men and women in educational achievement. The nation ranked first in the World Economic Forum’s literacy rate indicator. His focus on education created a base that led to remarkable numbers: 95% of female high school graduates went on to higher education. Women made up 70% of all university graduates in the UAE.

Zayed’s belief in equal chances

Sheik Zayed saw beyond just giving access to education. He believed women should take full part in building the nation. “The woman is half of the society,” he often said. He stressed that no developing country should leave women trapped in poverty or illiteracy. His genuine support for women’s talents showed through his actions. He created social conditions that encouraged women to join public life.

Sheik Zayed supported women taking up careers and leadership roles. Dr. Hissa Lotah said, “Sheik Zayed was an unprecedented leader who thought deeply about his people’s needs, whatever their gender”. He personally attended the founding meeting of the General Women’s Union in 1974-1975. This showed his support for civil society groups backing women’s progress.

Early policies that opened doors for women

The UAE Constitution, written under Sheik Zayed’s guidance, made men’s and women’s rights equal by law. This key document ensures equality in several vital areas:

• Property rights and inheritance
• Access to education and health
• Employment opportunities
• Legal status protections

Women’s progress in the UAE officially started on February 8, 1973, with the first women’s meeting—”The Renaissance of Abu Dhabi Women Association”. Similar groups formed in other emirates after this. The General Women’s Union emerged in 1975 under Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak’s leadership.

Sheik Zayed’s vision led the UAE to sign many international treaties protecting women’s rights. The country joined the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2004. These early laws and international promises created a progressive environment. Future generations of Emirati women thrived both professionally and socially because of these changes.

Laws kept changing as time went on. The government updated 75% of federal laws and removed more than 50 outdated ones to match modern needs. These changes gave women and men equal chances in every part of society. They built lasting structures that helped women move forward throughout UAE’s growth.

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak: The Mother of the Nation

_{Image Source: Dubai Eye 103.8}

A visionary champion stands behind every great nation’s advancement. For Emirati women, that champion is without doubt Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. The spouse of the late Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has carried forward his vision for gender equality with remarkable dedication. Her people lovingly call her the “Mother of the Nation.”

Championing women’s rights and education

Sheikha Fatima turned women’s education into her life’s mission, building on Sheik Zayed’s foundational vision. She launched the Women Literacy and Education Strategy in 1975. This complete system worked to eliminate illiteracy in all its forms throughout the UAE. Her practical approach tackled alphabetical illiteracy along with cultural, intellectual, health, social, and professional barriers that women faced.

The results were extraordinary. Illiteracy rates dropped from 27% in 1985 to 10% in 2010, and fell to less than 1% by 2013. Women’s educational achievements have reached new heights under her guidance. Today, 95% of female high-school graduates pursue higher education, compared to 80% of males. Women constitute approximately 70% of all university graduates in the UAE. The country has seen 56% of these graduates choose STEM fields—a remarkable achievement for a nation that’s nowhere near 50 years old.

Founding institutions for family and childhood

Sheikha Fatima’s vision has reshaped the scene for women and families throughout the Emirates. She started her groundbreaking work by establishing the first women’s association in 1973. The General Women’s Union followed in 1975. These initiatives marked just the beginning of her institutional legacy.

The next decades saw her establish the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood in 2003 and the Family Development Foundation in 2006. Each institution serves unique yet complementary purposes—from policymaking and capacity-building to reviewing legislation and creating national strategies to enable women.

Children’s development holds an equally special place in her heart. She hosted the Fatima Bint Mubarak Forum for Motherhood & Childhood in 2016, which focused on creativity in early childhood development. She launched the “My Child’s Book” initiative to develop a love of reading among children. She believes that “reading contributes to the formation of the child’s awareness, develops culture and imagination, and consecrates noble patriotic values”.

Legacy of Sheikha Fatima’s leadership

Sheikha Fatima’s leadership has altered the map way beyond UAE’s borders. Emirati women now make up 12% of the UAE’s ambassadorial corps and 30% of its diplomatic representation. She got international recognition when the UN Women and Global Partnerships Forum honored her with the Agent of Change Award in 2017.

“Emirati women remain a cornerstone of family life and social cohesion,” Sheikha Fatima said. She emphasized that enabling women drives sustainable development while boosting global competitiveness. Her vision lives on through the National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023-2031, which aims to increase women’s participation in all sectors.

The UAE will celebrate the General Women’s Union’s 50th anniversary in 2025. The theme “Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years” honors both Sheikha Fatima’s lasting legacy and Emirati women’s collective achievements over five decades.

From Home to Parliament: Women in Leadership

_{Image Source: Khaleej Times}

Sheik Zayed’s remarkable vision shows most clearly in the UAE’s political landscape. Emirati women have moved from private to public spheres with outstanding success. Their presence at the highest levels of government shows how deeply the nation has adopted the founding father’s steadfast dedication to gender equality.

Rise of female ministers and diplomats

The UAE Cabinet has nine women ministers, one of the highest rates of female ministerial participation worldwide. These women lead innovative portfolios such as tolerance, happiness, youth, and food security – areas vital to the nation’s future growth. Shamma Al Mazrui stands out among these leaders. She became the world’s youngest minister after her appointment as Minister of State for Youth Affairs at age 22 in 2016.

Women’s representation in the diplomatic corps has grown substantially. The UAE’s diplomatic corps now has 30% women, with 234 female diplomats in various positions. Of these, 42 work on missions abroad, and seven serve as ambassadors. Women make up 42.5% of the workforce in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh broke new ground in 2013 as the UAE’s first female Permanent Representative to the UN. She later became President of the UN Women Executive Board in 2017—the first Arab woman to achieve this position.

Representation in the Federal National Council

The late Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s directive led to women holding 50% of the Federal National Council’s seats. This groundbreaking change came through Presidential Resolution No. (1) of 2019. The Council now has 20 elected male and 20 elected female representatives. The UAE ranked first in the female parliamentary representation index in the IMF World Competitiveness Yearbook 2020.

Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi’s achievements highlight this progress. She became the first elected female to the FNC in 2006. In 2015, she made history again by becoming the first woman elected President of the FNC and the first woman to chair a parliamentary institution in the Arab world.

The role of the Zayed and Fatima Youth Leadership Network

Sheik Zayed and Sheikha Fatima’s legacy lives on through youth initiatives that develop future leaders. The Federal Youth Authority works together with the Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative to create frameworks for young innovators. This partnership offers creative spaces, entrepreneurial opportunities, and specialized training to help youth contribute to nation-building.

Young Emiratis receive practical training, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial support through programs like the Launchpad initiative and the Emirates Youth Professional School. These efforts show how the founding father’s values continue to guide new generations toward leadership excellence.

Breaking Barriers: Changing Perceptions and Realities

_{Image Source: Arabian Business}

Misconceptions about Emirati women continue to exist locally and internationally despite their remarkable progress. These narratives rarely match the real-life experiences of women, especially those without royal connections.

Common misconceptions about Emirati women

Many people wrongly believe that Emirati women live oppressed lives restricted to domestic roles. Outsiders often assume these women lack educational opportunities, independence, and professional growth. The myths about UAE women needing guardian permission to travel, being unable to drive, or following strict dress codes still persist. The economic impact of women during the pre-oil era has faded from memory, which creates an incorrect picture of their “traditional” roles being purely domestic.

How media and education are reshaping narratives

UAE media has evolved beyond simple documentation to become a powerful force in shaping women’s success stories over the past fifty years. This coverage actively changes mindsets and creates new possibilities for future generations. The numbers speak for themselves – Emirati women now make up 61% of STEM graduates in the UAE, which surpasses the Arab world average significantly. However, challenges still exist. Women’s salaries in media industries remain 15% lower than their male colleagues, while female workforce participation stays under 20% nationwide.

Stories of women in non-traditional fields

Amna Al Qubaisi, who broke barriers as the first Emirati F1 Academy racer, addresses stereotypes directly: “People think Emirati women aren’t allowed to do anything. They think women still can’t drive. They were shocked when they saw me competing”. Emirati women now lead key sectors – construction (20.7%), wholesale and retail (17.3%), and administrative services (13.1%). Their participation in the Nafis program grew from 69.7% in 2022 to 73.1% in 2025, proving Sheik Zayed’s vision continues to flourish in unexpected areas.

Inspiring the Next Generation: The Future of the UAE

_{Image Source: Entrepreneur}

Zayed’s daughters confidently move toward tomorrow. They build on their solid foundations and surpass traditional boundaries to create new paths.

Advice from today’s leaders to tomorrow’s daughters

Experienced Emirati leaders share their straightforward wisdom with the next generation. “Own your journey. Learn from every mistake and don’t rush the process,” advises one prominent professional. Another emphasizes, “Seize every opportunity to learn, grow and contribute, for you have the power to shape not only your future but the future of our nation”. Their guidance shows how Zayed’s vision lives on through mentorship between generations.

The importance of self-belief and identity

Cultural identity and progress go hand in hand. “Self-acceptance. With self-love and self-acceptance comes learning to work on your goals – both internal and external – without being hard on yourself”. Cultural values blend naturally into professional identities and create workplaces where every voice matters.

How Emirati women are shaping the future

Emirati women lead groundbreaking technological advances, especially in artificial intelligence. Women make up more than half the team at Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government Enablement. They work to build the world’s first AI-native government by 2027. This is a big deal as it means that women represent 56% of STEM graduates at UAE public universities compared to the global average of 35%. Young women connect with experienced mentors through programs like the Emirates NBD e7 Girls Summit to continue this transformation.

Sheik Zayed’s visionary leadership has shaped the incredible trip of Emirati women. His deep belief that women make up half of society has become reality in UAE sectors everywhere. The achievements we celebrate on Emirati Women’s Day stem from decades of thoughtful institutional growth.

Today’s statistics prove Sheik Zayed’s focus on education worked – women make up 70% of university graduates and 56% of STEM students. Sheikha Fatima’s tireless work helped expand these opportunities through key institutions like the General Women’s Union and the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood. Women now hold 50% of parliamentary seats, nine ministerial positions, and represent their nation worldwide.

Numbers tell only part of the story – society’s views have changed substantially. Women like Amna Al Qubaisi in motorsports and others in construction, retail, and technology show how old barriers have disappeared. Zayed’s daughters now excel in fields once thought impossible.

UAE’s gender equality goes beyond surface-level changes. It builds on core values that the nation’s founding father championed fifty years ago. These foundations explain why women’s progress feels genuine rather than forced – it grows from cultural roots nurtured over generations.

Young Emirati women’s future looks promising as they blend cultural identity with global opportunities. Their success comes from a visionary leader who saw women’s potential before it became a worldwide trend. Every achievement celebrated today honors both individual success and Sheik Zayed’s lasting belief – no nation truly advances while half its people stay behind.