In honour of Emirati Women’s Day, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate all Emirati women. From doctors, pilots, CEOs and everything in between, Emirati women are pioneering the UAE’s evolution. Here are just some of those women whose achievements have already gone above and beyond and are nothing short of inspirational.
Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
Image credit: WAM
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi was officially the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the United Arab Emirates. As graduating from the California State University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, she also has an Executive MBA and an honorary doctorate. In 2014 she was appointed the President of Zayed University and is listed as the 36th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.
Sheikha Madiyah Al Sharqi
Image credit: elanthemag.com
A force to be reckoned with in the fashion world, Sheikha Madiyah Al Sharqi’s creations have been featured in magazine royalty such as Vogue Italia, Vogue Arabia, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and Grazia.
Mariam Al Mansouri
As the first female fighter pilot in the UAE, Mariam Al Mansouri has gone above and beyond. Al Mansouri served in the army prior to her flight training and received the Mohammed bin Rashid Pride of the Emirates award. She also led a strike mission against ISIS in 2016, which made headlines worldwide.
Nayla Al Khaja
Nayla Al Khaja became the UAE’s first filmmaker. Since then she’s founded the film club The Scene Club - also Dubai’s first. Her short films have earned her multiple awards and she has used her platform to advocate tolerance, embrace local talent and inspire filmmakers and women alike.
Shamma Al Mazrui
Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui was appointed the UAE’s Minister of State for Youth Affairs at just 22 years old. This made her the youngest minister in the world. Al Mazrui graduated with a Masters of Public Policy degree from the University of Oxford in 2015 and became the UAE's first ever Rhodes scholar.
Noura Al Kaabi
Image credit: WAM
Noura Al Kaabi was ranked as one of the Middle East’s Most Influential Women in Government by Forbes Magazine. Al Kaabi is a huge inspiration for many in the media and political fields of the UAE as well as being the chief of ‘twofour54’ media group.
Zahra Lari
Zahra Lari made history as the first figure skater from the UAE to compete internationally. As well as representing the UAE, she also became the first ever figure skater to compete wearing hijab.