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Emirati Women’s Day 2026: 10 Emirati Women Changing the UAE

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4 hours ago

August 28, 2026

Shorya

Under the theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better”, the UAE is celebrating Emirati Women’s Day 2026. For the first time the national celebration is now a month-long event to be celebrated from August 28 to September 28, to celebrate the contribution of women in the country’s development.

The given data shows that the current distribution among representative membership of the Federal National Council is 50% female, and that they make up approximately 63 percent of the leadership positions in the public sector. They’re involved in a host of activities including space exploration, education, technology, finance, diplomacy, aviation, healthcare, and environmental conservation.

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10 Emirati Women Shaping the UAE

1. Sarah Al Amiri – Space and Education

Minister of Education Sarah Al Amiri was one of the key players in the scientific vision of the UAE Mars mission Hope Probe. In her current work she is continuing the relationship between education, STEM and advanced technologies.

2. Nora AlMatrooshi – Space Exploration

Nora AlMatrooshi made history by joining the UAE Astronaut Programme, and training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Her experience as an engineer and an astronaut has proven to be a major inspiration for young women wanting to be astronauts who are, for the most part, Arab.

3. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi – Culture and Publishing

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has significantly impacted Sharjah’s global publishing and cultural footprint. She has also been a leader in Literacy, Publishing and women entrepreneurship.

4. Hana Al Rostamani – Banking

Hana Al Rostamani, the Group CEO of first Abu Dhabi bank, exemplifies the increasing power of Emirati women in the international financial arena. Her leadership has encompassed growth and effort toward Sustainable finance for the bank.

5. Lana Nusseibeh – Diplomacy

Lana Nusseibeh has served in high-level diplomatic roles, such as UAE’s representation at the United Nations. Her career mirrors Emirati women’s increasing involvement in multilateral affairs and international diplomacy.

6. Aisha Al Mansoori – Aviation

For the UAE, Captain Aisha Al Mansoori is the first Emirati woman Commercial Captain in a National Airlines. Her success has influenced women who would like to pursue careers as commercial airliner pilots.

7. Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi – Healthcare

Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi is known for her research in bone marrow transplantation, regenerative medicine and cellular therapies as highlighted in the provided reference. Her career journey reflects the role of Emirati women in achieving excellence in healthcare.

8. Razan Al Mubarak – Conservation

Prominent climate leader and President of IUCN, Razan Al Mubarak has been a major climate actionist for biodiversity conservation, conservation and environmental action. Her global work is a continuation of the UAE’s leadership in the environment.

9. Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei – Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, the AI Specialist, stands as the voice of UAE’s aspirations in the realm of artificial intelligence and high-tech computing devices. Her work, among those contributing to the development of the Falcon LLM, also describes the increasing visibility of Emirati women in the field of deep technology.

10. Mona Al Marri – Gender Balance

Mona Al Marri has been working in the UAE Government on various senior levels with the UAE Gender Balance Council and Dubai Women Establishment. Her research interests lie in the fields of promoting women’s roles, institutional equality and media development.

Why Emirati Women’s Day Matters?

The 2026 celebration is one such example of women’s involvement that is not confined to traditional industries and sectors, but rather to strategic sectors which are instrumental in the development of the UAE’s future. Emirati women are all over, playing a role in science and innovation projects related to Mars missions, as well as AI labs, in boardrooms, and on panels.