On the 54th Union Day, our country adorns itself in its finest form, built upon the foundations laid by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brother Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may God rest their souls, along with their fellow Rulers of the Emirates. Our nation, which today takes pride in its achievements under wise leadership, continues on a path initiated by the founding figures and carried forward by successive generations.
Since its inception, the United Arab Emirates has established women as an essential partner in the nation-building project, with the support of the Mother of the Nation, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, who has been—and continues to be—a steadfast supporter of both the nation and its women. The giving of the Mother of the Nation is boundless; it has not been limited to empowerment so that women could merely accompany the journey of the Union, but has continued to renew its impact through presence, responsibility, and leadership to this day.
With the support of the Mother of the Nation, empowerment has been translated into figures and evidence: Emirati women have held 50% of the seats in the Federal National Council since 2019. In terms of competitiveness, the UAE ranks at the forefront regionally in several gender balance indicators, alongside a growing commitment to increasing women’s representation in leadership positions across both the public and private sectors.
Today, Emirati women occupy diverse professions and positions, representing the country in all forums. Emirati girls, in turn, continue to rise, following in the footsteps of pioneering women, in a civilizational moment marked by rapid technological advances and regional and global transformations. Here, their role grows ever more significant as partners to young men, completing the journey with worthy successors to worthy predecessors.
Belief in education, culture, and knowledge is the essence of this story. What women have achieved is not a fleeting privilege, but the result of a vision rooted in our values and identity, and of continuous renewal of tools and opportunities. With every new step, the UAE affirms that its renaissance cannot be complete without the energy of its other half—the woman—who has proven that her partnership is a developmental necessity and a promise of a more balanced and innovative future. Thank you, Mother of the Nation
