On Emirati Women’s Day, Tahawultech marks five decades of achievements as women shape the UAE’s digital future through education, entrepreneurship, and technology leadership.
Emirati Women’s Day arrives at a transformative moment for the UAE, as the country accelerates its ambitions to become a digital-first nation under the UAE Centennial 2071 and Digital Government Strategy 2025. Central to this vision are Emirati women, who are making bold strides in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, ensuring the country remains at the forefront of global innovation.
Emirati Women’s Day was launched in 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, 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. It is celebrated every year on 28 August, chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the founding of the General Women’s Union in 1975. The day was created to recognise the achievements of Emirati women, highlight their role in nation-building, and reaffirm the UAE’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment.
Education remains the cornerstone of this progress, with Emirati women now making up 61 per cent of STEM graduates, a figure that surpasses the regional average of 57 per cent across the Arab world. Government universities report 56 per cent of STEM graduates are women, underscoring their role in building a strong foundation for the future workforce in science, technology, and innovation. The achievements reflect the UAE’s commitment to nurturing a generation of digital-native leaders prepared to address both the challenges and opportunities of emerging technologies.
The entrepreneurial space has become a powerful arena where Emirati women are showcasing resilience and innovation. According to GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey, 36 per cent of small businesses in the UAE are women-owned, with 80 per cent launched in the last five years. Remarkably, 24 per cent of Emirati female small business owners are their household’s primary income earners, reflecting their vital role in family and community stability.
The report highlights a new wave of digital confidence among women:
- 71 per cent believe AI will help them compete with larger, better-resourced companies in the next year.
- Emirati women are reporting saving 14 hours per week by using AI tools –such as GoDaddy Airo®, an AI-powered experience which simplifies website creation, logo design and digital marketing strategies for entrepreneurs.
- 66 per cent believe their business will grow in the next 3–5 years.
Closing the skills gap in emerging tech
While women dominate in STEM education, their presence in cutting-edge areas like generative AI remains limited. Emirati women currently represent 23.8 per cent of GenAI learners, below the global average of 31 per cent. However, with GenAI course enrolments in the UAE surging 1,102 per cent in 2024, the opportunity for women to lead in this space is immense. Bridging this gap will be key to ensuring Emirati women remain at the forefront of digital-first industries such as AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and space technology.
Workforce participation and leadership
The broader workforce also reflects women’s rising influence. In 2024, women’s workforce participation in the UAE rose to 34.6 per cent, up from 32.5 per cent in 2023. Nearly 78 per cent of women-owned businesses are led by women under 40, signalling a generational shift towards younger leaders embracing digital-first models.Policy frameworks are reinforcing these advances. The NAFIS programme recorded that 73.1 per cent of its beneficiaries in 2025 were women, while the World Economic Forum notes women now hold 30 per cent of technology roles in the UAE, above the global average of 25 per cent.
Role models inspiring the next generation
High-profile leaders are providing visible inspiration. Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, continues to champion the UAE’s digital transformation agenda, while Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Emirati and Arab woman astronaut, completed NASA’s astronaut training in 2024, showcasing the breadth of opportunities available to Emirati women, from deep tech to space exploration. The UAE is advancing towards its digital-first vision, and Emirati women are not just participants but architects of this future. From STEM graduates to AI-powered entrepreneurs and national leaders, their influence is tangible across every layer of society. This Emirati Women’s Day is more than a celebration — it is recognition that the UAE’s digital-first nation is being shaped by women who combine innovation, resilience, and leadership to secure a more inclusive and technologically empowered tomorrow.
Tahawultech spoke with some of the leading voices in the industry, and it is evident that Emirati women have become central to the nation’s journey toward a digital-first and sustainable future. From pioneering roles in space science, AI, and robotics, to shaping sustainability and industrial innovation, their contributions reflect resilience, creativity, and leadership nurtured over five decades of progress.
Leaders and professionals alike emphasise that the UAE’s success has been driven by visionary policies, inclusive education, and industry opportunities that empower women not only to participate but to lead. Whether through entrepreneurship powered by AI, advancing sustainability technologies, or delivering innovation in critical sectors like energy and manufacturing, Emirati women are redefining benchmarks and inspiring the next generation. What unites their voices is the belief that collaboration between government, academia, and industry is vital to create real pathways for women—through mentorship, research partnerships, and inclusive workplaces. This collective approach ensures Emirati women will continue to thrive as innovators, decision-makers, and guardians of the nation’s digital and sustainable transformation.
Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder & Chairperson, Emirates Environmental Group
As an Emirati woman, my journey in sustainability has been driven by a deep conviction that protecting our planet is both a responsibility and a privilege. Emirati women have always been catalysts of change — nurturing, leading, and inspiring. Today, in the era of sustainability technologies, our role is even more profound. We are innovators, decision-makers, and guardians of the future.
“On this Emirati Women’s Day, I encourage every woman to recognise her power to influence and transform. Together, hand in hand, we can harness knowledge, technology, and compassion to build a truly sustainable and inclusive tomorrow.”
Amna Almarzooqi, Race Car Mechanic at A2RL (ASPIRE)
Emirati Women’s Day 2025 is a reminder of how far we’ve come in just five decades. In the UAE’s technology sector, Emirati women are not only present, but they are also leading. From the women scientists behind the Emirates Mars Mission to the growing number of engineers, coders, and innovators across AI and robotics, we’ve set benchmarks that surpass global averages in female participation. These milestones were made possible through visionary leadership and the opportunities created for us in education and industry.
For me, it’s about building on this foundation, proving that Emirati women can thrive in every frontier of technology, and inspiring the next generation to go even further. Declaring 2025 the Year of Community is a powerful call to work together. If we truly want more Emirati women shaping fields like AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, then collaboration between government, industry, and academia is key. It’s about more than just access.
“It’s about creating real pathways: mentorship that guides careers, research partnerships that build skills, and inclusive policies that open doors. When we connect these dots, we don’t just support women entering tech; we empower them to lead, innovate, and drive impact for the UAE’s knowledge economy.”
Eida Mohammed Al Mansoori, HSE Engineer at Al Gharbia Pipe Company
I have witnessed how Emirati women are driving the UAE’s technological progress, bringing unique perspectives that lead to practical and inclusive solutions. With strong government support, many of us now pursue STEM education, turning careers in science and engineering into real opportunities. In my role as an HSE Engineer at Al Gharbia Pipe Company, I’ve contributed to projects that use AI, robotics, and automation to boost efficiency, improve safety, and ensure quality—proof that women are not just participants but active leaders in shaping the nation’s industrial and digital future.
“I believe partnerships between government, academia, and industry are vital to give women the skills, mentorship, and opportunities needed to thrive and continue this journey of innovation.”
Louise Bou Rached, Director – Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, Milestone Systems.
Emirati Women’s Day 2025 is a powerful reminder of how far women have come in shaping the UAE’s technology sector. I see Emirati women as an engine of progress, empowered by strong education, visionary policies, and a culture of innovation that has enabled them to exceed global benchmarks in STEM and digital participation. With 61% of STEM graduates in government universities being women, the foundations are strong for them to lead in fields once considered out of reach.
“Initiatives such as the National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women and platforms like the Dubai Women Establishment continue to provide skills, mentorship, and opportunities, while the Year of Community reinforces the importance of industry, government, and academia working together to accelerate women’s participation in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.”
Kiril Evtimov, Group Chief Technology Officer, G42 and Chief Executive Officer, Core42
Fifty years of Emirati Women’s Day reflects the vision, resilience, and achievements of women who have been central to the UAE’s journey. Women’s talent and ambition have been vital in shaping the nation’s success and reinforcing the UAE’s role as a global leader.
“At Core42, we recognise the impact of women in driving our success and remain committed to supporting the continued progress they will make in advancing innovation and defining the future.”
Ahmad Shakora, Group Vice President – Middle East, Turkey & Africa, Cloudera
Emirati women are playing pivotal roles in shaping the UAE’s digital and economic future, from leading the Emirates Mars Mission—where women made up 80 per cent of the engineering team under Sarah Al Amiri’s leadership—to driving progress in cybersecurity, AI, logistics, and national digital transformation initiatives. Their success is fuelled by strong foundations in STEM education, mentorship, and supportive policies from entities such as the General Women’s Union, Dubai Women Establishment, and Abu Dhabi Women’s Council. Looking ahead, accelerating their participation in the technology sector will be vital for growth and innovation, with collaboration between government, industry, and academia key to ensuring women acquire practical, future-ready skills aligned with national strategies.
“By co-developing curricula, fostering mentorship, and creating inclusive ecosystems, stakeholders can empower Emirati women to take on leadership roles in emerging technologies, securing the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation over the next 50 years.”
Ashish Koshy, Chief Executive Officer, Inception, a G42 company
The UAE continues to make bold strides in empowering women in technology, with equality and diversity shaping its digital vision. Emirati women have catalysed cultural and economic shifts and are shaping policy, business, and entrepreneurship. Their leadership and innovation form the foundation of the UAE’s reputation as a global example of inclusive and sustainable digital progress.
“Today, many Emirati women are actively choosing careers in data science, AI, and robotics. At Inception, we are proud to support this progress through initiatives like QudraTech, which equips Emiratis with the necessary skills and career pathways to shape the next generation of AI leaders.”
