Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation and Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU) and the Supreme Council for Motherhood & Childhood (SCMC), more than 500 pioneering leaders convened at the second annual Remarkable Emirati Women summit. Hosted by PureHealth and the General Women's Union, the summit celebrated Emirati women’s progress and accomplishments, unlocking the vast potential of the UAE's female workforce, while serving as a powerful catalyst for impactful dialogue, centred on the theme Unlock Your Ambitions.
This year's event, held at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, focused on transforming ambitions into action and turning passion into purposeful leadership.
Building on the momentum of the previous year’s event, the summit highlighted the importance of a supportive community in empowering Emirati women to lead across all sectors. This aligns with PureHealth’s commitment to advancing the UAE’s Emiratisation agenda and its dedication to gender equality—key pillars of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.
The event began with an address delivered on behalf of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation by Her Excellency Reem bint Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak said: "Today, we celebrate the Remarkable Emirati Women' summit, an initiative focused on empowering Emirati women across the nation. Through this programme, we present to our country a cohort of female leaders armed with the knowledge and tools needed to participate in the journey of progress and development witnessed by our beloved emirates.
They will record achievements that highlight how the daughter of the emirates is an equally powerful partner in helping build the nation and raising its flag high. These remarkable women will inspire present and future generations and motivate them to passionately and creativity, build a better future for all.
"Owing to the support of the wise leadership which began with our late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, until the era of our leader, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the daughter of the emirates has always been an active partner in the nation's incredible story. She has been a mother, an educator of generations, a doctor, an engineer, a protector in the military, an ambassador, and a minister.
"We extend our sincere gratitude to the General Women's Union and PureHealth for creating the Emirati Women Chapter. This programme invests in creative Emirati women and creating leaders capable of inspiring and lighting the paths of excellence for generations to come."
Her Excellency Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GWU, said: “We are incredibly proud to witness the continued growth of the Remarkable Emirati Women Summit, an event that celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of Emirati women and lays the foundation for their future success. Under the esteemed patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, this summit has evolved into a critical platform for dialogue, inspiration, and leadership among women across the UAE. PureHealth’s unwavering commitment to empowering Emirati women, particularly in the healthcare sector, has been invaluable. This partnership underscores our shared dedication to fostering an environment where Emirati women can thrive, achieve their highest potential, and drive societal progress.”
Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer at PureHealth, said: “This year’s Remarkable Emirati Women Summit has been a powerful testament to the ambitions of over 500 women leaders. At PureHealth, we are honoured to lead this transformative journey of empowerment, fully aligning our initiatives with the UAE's visionary goals. The graduation of the first cohort of the Emirati Women Chapter, alongside the launch of the second cohort, represents significant milestones in our mission to nurture the next generation of female leaders.
"These leaders will shape the future of our nation through innovation and progress, while also serving as global role models for women's empowerment. As we celebrate the accomplishments of the first cohort, we are excited by the potential of the next wave of women leaders, whose journeys from ambition to achievement reflect the progressive spirit of the UAE.”
The summit provided a dynamic platform for growth, learning, collaboration, and empowerment. Attendees engaged in a series of impactful talks and panel discussions that delved into critical topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal wellbeing. Speakers shared their success stories, exploring the strengths women bring to balancing life and ambition, the importance of nurturing both body and mind for sustained growth and success, and offering valuable insights into unlocking ambition through perseverance and mentorship.
The programme also featured activities, such as mindfulness exercises, allowing attendees to reflect on their goals with clarity, while fireside chats explored the broader societal impacts of empowered women, including a male viewpoint on how gender inclusivity drives progress. This blend of introspection and practical advice equipped attendees with the tools and knowledge needed to transform their ambitions into tangible achievements, embodying Her Highness's commitment to their empowerment and progress.
Graduation of first cohort of 28 women
A key highlight of the summit was the graduation of the first cohort of 28 women from the Emirati Women Chapter (EWC), launched in March 2024 in partnership with the GWU.
The EWC has been instrumental in empowering women across sectors such as public speaking, literature, and public health by offering tailored mentorship, skill development, and networking opportunities. Graduates highlighted the programme's impact by sharing tangible outcomes from their experiences, offering insightful reflections on their evolving roles and the leadership and collaboration strategies they successfully adopted.
The summit also marked the opening of registrations for the second EWC cohort. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with EWC mentors, gaining firsthand insights into the programme’s structure, phases, and overall scope. These interactions provided a comprehensive view of the journey ahead, setting clear expectations for the next cohort and highlighting pathways for continued growth and development.
