SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
It doesn't always take a grand gesture or a major milestone to inspire women and girls to aim high, dream big, and believe in themselves. This year's International Women's Day offers a reminder that empowerment also grows through everyday actions - a helping hand, a mentor's guidance, or someone cheering from the sidelines.
UAE women who have made their mark in their fields are encouraging the next generation to keep pushing forward and reach for their ambitions. After all, they live in a country that has long recognised the potential of women to spark hope, drive change, lead innovation, and make a difference.
The nation's commitment to empowering women is visible across education, research, business, and technology, according to industry leaders and experts.
Dr Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, Executive Vice President and Principal/CEO of Al Khaleej International School, said that seeing more women step into leadership roles across education has been inspiring.
By creating environments where mentorship, leadership opportunities, and diverse perspectives are valued, she emphasised, young women can thrive and make a tangible difference.
"Believe in your voice, pursue your ambitions with confidence and never underestimate the impact you can have on the world around you," she said in message to women and girls.
For Dr Rahaf Ajaj, Associate Professor at Abu Dhabi University, empowerment is both professional and personal.
Being in a country that actively invests in women's potential continues to motivate her to push boundaries in research, education, and community impact, she said. But Ajaj noted that a woman's influence stretches beyond her career: she also "nurtures values, knowledge, and resilience within her family and community".
And so she reminded her fellow women and the youth to "never underestimate the value of their voice".
"Believe in your curiosity, remain resilient … Your ideas have the power to transform communities and inspire the world," Ajaj said.
In the private sector, Sunidhi Pasan, Founder and Group CEO of Finstreet, highlighted the growing role of women in finance and technology leadership.
"Over the past few years, I've seen a real shift from conversation to action. More women are stepping into decision-making roles across finance, technology, and capital markets, not just in support functions but in core strategy, investment, and leadership positions," she said.
Pasan emphasised how exposure, responsibility, and trust drive growth. Women in her organisation, for example, are given ownership of projects, visibility, and opportunities to lead initiatives that shape the business.
"You do not need to wait for permission to take up space or to pursue ambitious goals. Progress is rarely linear, but consistency and courage compound over time," she added.
Serena Sebastiani, Group Chief Strategy and Venture Officer at Fuze, has also seen how capable women are leading fintech, regulatory initiatives, and frontier innovation in stablecoins, tokenisation, and AI.
"We are shaping policy, building platforms, and leading regulatory dialogue. In the UAE especially, the progress is remarkable," she said.
With that momentum in mind, Sebastiani advised women to actively claim space in emerging industries.
"Do not wait to be invited into the room. Build competence, understand the system, work with passion and turn empathy into a powerful tool. Then take your seat with confidence," she said.
Doaa ElKadi, Head of HR for Near East and UAE at Boehringer Ingelheim, said living in a country that actively promotes gender equality encourages women to take on leadership roles and contribute positively to society.
"Access to education, mentorship, and real-world opportunities allows women to push boundaries, advance healthcare solutions, and contribute to a resilient, future-ready ecosystem," she said.
ElKadi prompted women to look up and notice all the possibilties. "The opportunities around you are real, and your ideas, dedication, and leadership can help shape a more inclusive, equitable, and thriving future for all," she said.
To young women aspiring to make their mark, she said: "Remain curious, resilient, and confident."
Leadership is also about influence and impact beyond immediate roles. Razan Akrouk, Chief People and Sustainability Officer at GMG, underscored the value of diverse perspectives in shaping decision-making.
Citing research, Akrouk said that organisations with more women in leadership benefit from greater creativity, empathy, and collaboration, and that companies with at least 30% women leaders are more likely to rank among top financial performers.
"In periods of uncertainty and disruption, societies and businesses are shaped by the quality of decisions being made. Women play a critical role in these moments - not simply through representation, but through the capabilities they bring to leadership," she said.