Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), the third edition of the Emirati Women Achievers programme on Tuesday celebrated 32 trailblazing Emirati women.
In a speech delivered on Her Highness’ behalf, Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of State, emphasised the UAE’s commitment to women’s economic integration and empowerment under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
She highlighted the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women in the UAE (2023-2031), which aims to enhance women’s economic integration through tailored employment opportunities, innovative project support, and skill development, especially in entrepreneurship and technology.
Emirati women are an essential part of the economic workforce, she added, citing data from the Ministry of Economy, which shows that the total number of commercial licences owned by Emirati women exceeded 135,000, reflecting a 23% increase from 2023.
The event, organised by StartAD, the Abu Dhabi-based startup accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi, also marked the unveiling of the IMPACT Hub for Emirati Women Achievers, designed to offer them long-term support to contribute to the UAE’s broader economic and social goals, in alignment with the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women.
The Emirati Women Achievers programme, a collaborative effort with partners including the US Mission to the UAE and the Arab International Women’s Forum, aims to foster a culture of innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship among Emirati women, ensuring their contributions make a lasting impact.
Nihal Shaikh, Assistant Director of Communications and Strategic Projects at StartAD, highlighted the role of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima in instilling the values of foresight and skill-building into the fabric of the UAE.
“This legacy is clear when we look at Emirati women shattering the glass ceiling across multiple sectors. Be it nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare, or space, there is no area where they are leaving a stone unturned,” Shaikh noted.
Guided by a mandate to foster entrepreneurship from Abu Dhabi to the world, StartAD has supported nearly 600 startups. The newly launched IMPACT Hub will focus on nurturing visionary Emirati female entrepreneurs, accelerating their ventures and connecting them with vital resources.
This will be achieved through offering tailored support to Emirati women across diverse sectors. Key components of this initiative include the Ambassador Program, a six-month course designed to equip women with skills for international business and leadership in cross-cultural environments. Additionally, the Conscious Investor Program will train female investors, boosting their contributions to startup growth and social impact. The hub also features a strong emphasis on networking, fostering partnerships, connections, and peer-to-peer learning.
In her address, Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and NYU Trustee, said: “This room is filled with role models. You’re all shaping the fields of technology, health, public policy. But much more importantly, the room is filled with women who generously seek to share their knowledge, their expertise, and their enthusiasm.
“Separately, you each bring a wealth of experience, but it’s by coming together that you create stronger connections and build something even more enduring and more valuable. You aren’t just building businesses. You’re building ecosystems of opportunity.”
Al Mokarrab further highlighted the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, which lives on through the UAE’s leaders today, ensuring the empowerment of countless Emirati women.
Aletihad spoke to some of the recipients of the Emirati Women Achievers Award.
Dr. May Laith Al Taee, Vice Chancellor of the Emirates College for Advanced Education, praised the programme’s networked approach, offering a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
“Meeting so many incredibly successful Emirati women makes me very proud. I’m overwhelmed by their knowledge, experiences, and dedication to innovation. We’re all very fortunate to have leaders committed to women’s development and empowerment,” she said.
Dr. Al Taee further expressed her enthusiasm for the IMPACT Hub, noting her willingness to volunteer and support other aspiring Emirati women as a mentor.
Tala Al Ramahi, Director at the Office of Development Affairs, Presidential Court, and Chief Strategy Officer for Reaching the Last Mile, said: “Being recognised by this award is a true honour, especially since it’s under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima, who has always been an enabler for women, paving the way for all of us to be contributing to our nation’s progress.”
Al Ramahi believes that the network created by this programme will open doors for new opportunities and partnerships for aspiring women. “This platform not only provides well-deserved recognition but also helps accelerate the impact created by Emirati Women Achievers across various fields,” she said.
Ruqayya Alblooshi, Executive Director of International Relations at the Prime Minister’s Office, noted that the recognition she received brings with it a sense of responsibility to “pay it forward” through connecting with and mentoring younger generations.
“This achievement isn’t mine alone,” she said, expressing her gratitude to her mother, grandmother, and the founding leaders of the UAE. “None of this would have been possible without the right support and policies in place.”
She urges aspiring Emirati women to “aim high” and leverage the boundless opportunities and resources available within their arms’ reach.
Tahani Tahir, a banker and co-founder of HAYAWIIA, a leading FMCG business based in the UAE, noted that receiving the Emirati Women Achievers Award is a source of pride and inspiration, driving her forward.
Tahir is set on leveraging her success to mentor and collaborate with women entrepreneurs and female-driven businesses. Her message to other Emirati women: “Pursue your dreams, be resilient, and don’t give up.”
“I think it’s important to constantly remind ourselves of how fortunate we are to be born Emirati and receive this incredible support from our country’s leaders.”
