Exclusive | Ten trailblazing Emirati women you should know

The dedication of a special day to celebrate the UAE's women was first announced in 2015 by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, founder and chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood. This annual celebration marks the anniversary of creating the General Women's Union in 1975, UAE's first umbrella organization. It highlights the crucial role of women in the advancement of the country.

The UAE has made a concerted effort to empower its women as a national strategy and hopes to become one of the world's top 25 countries for gender equality by 2021. Already, the UAE counts 9 women ministers in its cabinet, and Emirati women hold around two-thirds of all government jobs, with 30% in senior roles. More than half of UAE university graduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields are women. In the private sector as well, women in the UAE are thriving – 23 Emirati women made the list of Forbes's 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen in 2020, the most of any country in the region.

For this year's Emirati Women's Day on August 28, whose theme is "Preparing for the next 50 years: women are the support of the nation", here are 10 trailblazing Emirati women you should know, and whose stories of perseverance and success may inspire you:

1. H.H. Sheikha Fatima

Affectionately known as "mother of the nation in the UAE," H.H. Sheikh Fatima has been a lifelong supporter of women's rights. She was the one who chose August 28 as the date for Emirati Women's Day, to coincide with the birth of the General Women's Union on August 28, 1975.

Sheikha Fatima has been instrumental in promoting education for girls and the inclusion of women in political decision-making. She was the first Arab recipient of the UNESCO Marie Curie Medal for these efforts.

2. H.E. Sarah Al Amiri

Women are at the forefront of the 150-strong Emirati team of scientists and engineers behind the successful launch of the Arab world's first interplanetary mission, the Hope Probe to Mars. Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, H.E. Sarah Al Amiri also heads the UAE Space Agency and is the science lead of the Mars mission, where women made up 80% of the core science team. While women are often underrepresented in the STEM field worldwide, the UAE space sector has 30-35% female representation, and 34% of those who applied to join the UAE Astronaut Programme were women.

3. H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui

In February 2016, H.E. Shamma Al Mazrui became the youngest ever government minister of the world, with her appointment as Minister of State for Youth Affairs at 22. After the latest cabinet reshuffle this year to create a more flexible and collaborative approach, she will stay in her current role while working closely with now Minister of Culture and Youth, H.E. Noura Al Kaabi – another young woman leader.

4. Amani Al Hosani

The UAE made the news earlier this summer with the successful launch of the first operating unit of its first Barakah Nuclear Plant, and among those who worked hard to make it happen is Amani Al Hosani. She is the UAE's first female nuclear scientist and now deputy head of simulators at the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). And she's not the only one making her mark – more than 21% of ENEC's staff are female, which is higher than the global average for women in the nuclear field worldwide.

5. Dr. Raja Al Gurg

Dr. Raja Al Gurg is somewhat of a legendary figure in the UAE business sector, having reinvented herself multiple times throughout her career, first as an educator and eventually heading her family's Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group as a prominent businesswoman. There's a Hong Kong connection, too – Dr. Raja Al Gurg launched the English version of her autobiography in Hong Kong in January 2019 about her journey of achievements to inspire young women to become entrepreneurs and carve their path. "It is crucial that all women push their boundaries and have the will to succeed."

6. Sheikha Almazmi

At a time when most of us are gripped by fear in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are those around the world who chose instead to rise to the challenge and answer their call of duty to humanity. Sheikha Almazmi is a young Emirati nurse who joined many other medical professionals to be the first line of defense and was recently honored a video by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention to highlight her contribution to the society.

7. Afra Atiq

Afra Atiq is an award-winning young Emirati poet and spoken word artist and has recently completed her Ph.D. She writes and performs in multilingual poems with a passion for languages and has been featured in 13 cities across four countries, including in TED talks and the PoetsNY poetry slam. She also proudly gives back to her community through mentorships with Untitled Chapters, a thriving hub she founded for Emirati female writers.

8. Areej Al Hammadi

In July, Emirati footballer Areej Al Hammadi made history by smashing the record for the most "hot stepper" (a ball control trick) in 1 minute, completing a whopping 86 repetitions row compared with the previous record holder's 56. Though she grew up hearing that football is "not for ladies," she did not let that get into her way and finally made it to the UAE's national football team.

9. Fatima Jassim

Disability didn't stop Fatima Jassim from becoming the first Emirati woman with cerebral palsy to skydive in 2017, setting an example for others with special needs to pursue their dreams. As the ambassador of integration at Sedra Foundation in Abu Dhabi, Fatima is an active speaker on the rights of people of determination (as those with special needs are referred to in the UAE), raising awareness through workshops and helping them find suitable careers.

10. Khulood Atiq

When she dropped out of college, Khulood Atiq had no idea what to do with her life, but today she is Chef Khulood, with a flourishing career as the first female national chef appointed as brand ambassador for local cuisine at the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, responsible for developing and preserving local culture by taking Emirati cuisine to the world stage. She is also the author of a bilingual cookery book, Sarareed, which gives traditional Emirati recipes as well as an insight into Arab hospitality.

(Source: United Arab Emirates Consulate General in Hong Kong)