As the UAE prepares to celebrate Emirati Women\u2019s Day on August 28, this year\u2019s occasion carries special significance. It marks the 50th anniversary of the General Women\u2019s Union, a milestone commemorated under the theme \u201cTogether, We Celebrate the 50\u201d, following directives by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (Mother of the Nation).<\/p>\n
This national celebration serves not only as a tribute to women\u2019s enduring contributions over five decades, but also as recognition of their continued role as key partners in the UAE\u2019s development across all sectors, particularly in culture and creative industries, where their presence is increasingly prominent.<\/p>\n
A Central Force in the UAE\u2019s Cultural Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n Emirati women today are playing a decisive role in the country\u2019s cultural strategy and soft power diplomacy\u2014whether as creatives, curators, educators, or leaders managing major national projects. Their involvement spans across all aspects of the cultural ecosystem, particularly within institutions that function as international hubs for cultural dialogue.<\/p>\n A prime example is the Zayed National Museum, scheduled to open in December. According to exclusive data, 60% of the museum\u2019s workforce are Emirati women, with 37% in leadership positions. Since the project\u2019s inception, more than 54 Emirati women have contributed in areas ranging from archival research and museum interpretation to education programming and architectural design.<\/p>\n The museum\u2019s team has examined hundreds of archaeological artifacts and is now working on public programs designed to reflect diversity, inclusion, and national heritage. These efforts position the Zayed National Museum not only as a cultural landmark but also as a dynamic platform to document and celebrate the UAE\u2019s historical journey across 300,000 years.<\/p>\n \u201cNot Just Part of the Story, but Its Jewel\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Hind Al Khouri, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Zayed National Museum, emphasized the importance of Emirati Women\u2019s Day as a time to reflect on the many roles women play in society. \u201cWomen in the UAE are partners in development, guardians of cultural heritage, and leaders across sectors. At the Zayed National Museum, we honor these roles by narrating stories that capture the soul of the nation\u2014stories rooted in belonging, generosity, and respect for the land. Women are not just part of this story\u2014they are its jewel.\u201d<\/p>\n Mouza Mattar, Acting Director of Collections and Curatorship, echoed these sentiments, noting that \u201cthe stories of Emirati women are not confined to the past\u2014they are ongoing narratives that help shape the future.\u201d She added: \u201cWomen have always been central to building families and communities, and their influence extends deeply into education, culture, and nation-building. At the museum, we aim to reflect this vital role within our permanent narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n Louvre Abu Dhabi: A Living Dialogue Through Art<\/strong><\/p>\n Similarly, Emirati women are integral to the operations of Louvre Abu Dhabi, taking on key responsibilities both on stage and behind the scenes. Among them is Aisha Al Dhaheri, Senior Museum Guide and Head of Community Engagement, who works closely with diverse groups to share the museum\u2019s message.<\/p>\n \u201cMy work allows me to promote the beauty of art throughout our community,\u201d she said. \u201cI have a deep passion for Emirati culture, and I see the museum as a bridge between our identity and the world. Encouraging more Emirati women to enter the cultural sector ensures our heritage remains vibrant and accessible to future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n She added that some of her most cherished experiences come from community engagement initiatives\u2014particularly when witnessing the joy of senior citizens, people of determination, and orphans during museum visits. \u201cArt has the power to touch lives in ways that are both personal and transformative.\u201d<\/p>\n In the Heart of Cultural Dialogue<\/strong><\/p>\n Noora Mohamed Al Mansouri, Museum Educator at Louvre Abu Dhabi, takes pride in being part of a global cultural movement rooted in the UAE. Interacting with visitors from across the world, she said, reveals how a single artwork can transcend language and geography to create meaningful human connections.<\/p>\n Her favorite experience? Working with school students as part of the \u201cCreativity and Expression\u201d program, where young minds interpret artworks through drama, visual arts, and creative writing. \u201cWatching their ideas come to life on stage or canvas is a powerful reminder that art is not static\u2014it is living and evolving with each generation.\u201d<\/p>\n Noora added, \u201cAs an Emirati woman working in the arts, I feel privileged to be part of a dialogue that connects past and present, local and global, tradition and innovation. It\u2019s both a responsibility and a source of deep pride.\u201d<\/p>\n A Legacy of Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n This Emirati Women\u2019s Day, the spotlight rightly shines on the women who have become key architects of the UAE\u2019s cultural narrative. Whether shaping museum experiences, preserving national memory, or mentoring future generations, Emirati women continue to drive the country\u2019s soft power and global cultural presence.<\/p>\n Their work is not only a reflection of past achievements, but also a commitment to building a future where creativity, heritage, and identity flourish hand in hand.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On Emirati Women\u2019s Day 2025, the UAE honors the pivotal role women play in its cultural and creative sectors. From leading landmark institutions like Zayed National Museum to shaping public engagement at Louvre Abu Dhabi, Emirati women are at the forefront of the nation\u2019s cultural vision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":13441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[252],"class_list":["post-13439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-stories","tag-emirati-women-day"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13439"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13440,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13439\/revisions\/13440"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uaehumanjourney.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}