Every year on August 28, the UAE celebrates Emirati Women’s Day, a national occasion dedicated to recognising the achievements and contributions of Emirati women across every sector. The day was established in 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the UAE’s General Women’s Union in 1975.
This Emirati Women’s Day, we’re celebrating by shining a light on some of the women who have made history, challenged expectations and paved the way for generations to come.
Nora Al Matrooshi
The UAE’s first female astronaut
When Nora Al Matrooshi was selected for the UAE Astronaut Programme in 2021, she became the first Emirati woman and the first female Arab astronaut.
With a degree in mechanical engineering, she went on to complete more than two years of rigorous training as part of NASA’s 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class, graduating in 2024 and becoming eligible for future spaceflight assignments. Her journey has opened a new chapter for Arab women in STEM and space exploration.
Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum
A record-breaking aviator and Dubai Police pilot
Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum has built an impressive career in aviation, becoming a First Lieutenant Pilot with the Dubai Police Air Wing. She first took to the skies at just 12 years old before pursuing professional pilot training.
She later became the UAE’s first Emirati female commercial pilot and the first woman to join the Dubai Police Air Wing as a First Lieutenant Pilot. In 2022, she also became the first woman in the world to pilot Leonardo’s AW609 tiltrotor, adding another milestone to an already remarkable career.
Captain Salma Al Baloushi
The first Emirati woman to reach First Officer at Etihad Airways
Captain Salma Al Baloushi made history in aviation after becoming the first Emirati woman to rise to the rank of First Officer at Etihad Airways. Joining the airline’s cadet programme in 2007, she went through years of intensive training before operating her first flight as a First Officer from Abu Dhabi to Athens in 2011.
She also became the first female Emirati pilot to fly solo under Etihad’s training programme, making her an early pioneer for Emirati women in commercial aviation.
Amna Al Haddad
The Emirati weightlifter who broke barriers in international sport
Amna Al Haddad has spent her career challenging stereotypes surrounding women and sport. An Olympic weightlifter and former journalist, she became the first Emirati and GCC national to compete in the CrossFit Asia Regionals in South Korea in 2012.
She was also the first Muslim woman to compete in the competition wearing a headscarf. Later turning her focus to Olympic weightlifting, she went on to win multiple medals at international competitions while becoming a prominent advocate for women in sport.
Nayla Al Khaja
The UAE’s first female film director and producer
Nayla Al Khaja paved the way for women in the UAE’s film industry as the country’s first female film director and producer. She is also the CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films, and has spent more than two decades building a career behind the camera. From founding Dubai’s first film club to directing award-winning short films and later releasing feature films, Al Khaja has played a major role in shaping the UAE’s growing cinema scene.
Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi
The UAE’s first female aircraft engineer
Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi made history in a field traditionally dominated by men when she became the UAE’s first female aircraft engineer. Her passion for aviation began when she was young, eventually leading her to pursue aviation engineering after initially working as a mechanic.
Today, she is also a researcher in aviation innovation and an advocate for women pursuing careers in STEM, using her experience to encourage young Emirati women to follow even the most unconventional career paths.
Amna Al Qubaisi
The first Emirati female racing driver
Amna Al Qubaisi has made her mark in the world of motorsport as the first Emirati female racing driver. She began her career in karting before progressing into single-seater racing, competing in championships including Formula 4 and F3.
In 2018, she became the first Middle Eastern woman to participate in a Formula E motorsport test, while in 2019 she became the first female Arab driver to win an F4 race. Her career continues to push Emirati women into new territory in motorsport.
From space exploration and aviation to engineering, cinema, weightlifting and motorsport, these women represent just a handful of the Emirati women who have turned once-unfamiliar territory into their own. Their achievements are not only milestones in their respective careers, but reminders that there is no limit to what Emirati women can achieve.
This Emirati Women’s Day, we celebrate the women breaking barriers today and inspiring the next generation to go even further.
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