This year’s Emirati Women’s Day 2025 theme, Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years, is being highlighted by startAD at NYU Abu Dhabi, showcasing women who are pivotal to the UAE’s innovation landscape.
Since its inception in 2022, the Emirati Women Achievers campaign, initiated by startAD at NYU Abu Dhabi, has honorably acknowledged over 100 remarkable Emirati women who contribute to the UAE’s innovation objectives through their roles as entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and advocates for progress.
Here, five of the 2024 Emirati Women Achievers share their insights on the significance of this recognition and the meaning behind the theme Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years.
Tala Al Ramahi, Director at the Office of Development Affairs, Presidential Court
As a representative of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, a forward-thinking philanthropic initiative in the UAE, my focus lies in enhancing human potential and access to opportunities. I passionately engage in the foundation’s mission to promote sustainable advancements in global health and inclusive development, greatly benefiting communities worldwide. Collaborating with an extraordinary team, we work to strengthen health systems, tackle preventable diseases, and provide opportunities for those in need.
Throughout my career, my deepest joy has stemmed from contributing to the UAE’s pioneering efforts in global development and supporting communities worldwide. Receiving this recognition is profoundly humbling — it speaks not only to personal achievement but echoes the values imparted to me by my country and the trailblazing Emirati women who came before me. It strengthens my dedication to giving back to the UAE, honoring its vision, and preserving its legacy of compassion, innovation, and leadership on the global stage.
The theme, Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years, serves as a powerful testament to the collaborative journey Emirati women have undertaken with the nation’s leadership over the last five decades. It embodies the essence of partnership, unity, and common purpose that has driven the UAE’s extraordinary progress.
Today, we stand on the foundation laid by pioneers who challenged limitations and redefined expectations, carrying forward the responsibility to empower future generations, lead with courage and empathy, and ensure that our contributions elevate our nation and extend beyond our borders.
Nawal Al Hanaee, Director of the Future Energy Department, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
My role as the director of the Future Energy Department at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure involves propelling the country’s transition to clean energy and formulating policies that encourage innovation and sustainability.
Being recognized as an Emirati Woman Achiever by startAD at NYU Abu Dhabi is a tremendous honor, reflecting our nation’s dedication to empowering women and motivating me to continue shattering barriers for the future generation.
This year’s theme, Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years, emphasizes that progress is a collective endeavor. It pays homage to the legacy of our founding mothers and fathers while reminding us of our shared duty to foster a brighter, more inclusive future.
Dr. Muna Alayyan, Executive Director, Saqr Hospital
As the director of the hospital and a breast surgeon, my current focus centers on spearheading healthcare innovation and improving early cancer detection initiatives across the UAE.
Being acknowledged as an Emirati Woman Achiever by startAD at NYUAD is both an honor and a commitment. It speaks to the legacy of formidable Emirati women and strengthens my resolve to serve the community.
This year’s Emirati Women’s Day theme eloquently reflects our nation’s advancement through unity, vision, and the crucial role of women in shaping the future.
Maryam Sadiq, Acting Head of the Security Inspection Devices Department, Dubai Police
I hold the distinction of being the first Emirati female military engineer to be internationally certified in the maintenance and operation of airport security inspection systems, a critical area for both national and global aviation security. Serving within the elite General Department of Airport Security at Dubai Police, I lead initiatives to protect passengers, aircraft, and cargo through cutting-edge technology, including AI and machine learning to enhance threat detection and inspection effectiveness.
In parallel with my engineering responsibilities, I am honored to be the first Emirati female military engineer to occupy leadership positions within the UAE, Arab, and Asian Boxing Federations, and I represent the UAE at global boxing congresses, roles traditionally held by men.
Pushing through these challenges was not just a personal victory but a national affirmation: Emirati women are equipped, empowered, and poised to lead with strength and purpose in every domain.
Being selected by startAD at NYUAD as an Emirati Woman Achiever is not solely a personal achievement; it pays tribute to every woman who aspired to rise and to a nation that recognized her potential. It symbolizes the UAE’s steadfast commitment to empowering women to lead, innovate, and shape the future across sectors.
It also conveys a heartfelt message to every Emirati girl: while I may have been the first in this field, you are the future. You embody the force that will advance this legacy, broaden its impact, and redefine what is achievable for future generations.
This year’s theme powerfully reminds us that the strength of our nation lies in the unity of generations, genders, and the fusion of vision with determination.
Together, we honor history, celebrate the present, and shape the future side by side, just as Emirati women have consistently done, crafting narratives of leadership, overcoming challenges, and building the future alongside their nation every step of the way.
Marwa Al Mamari, Specialist – Accident Prevention and Safety Recommendations, General Civil Aviation Authority
As both an aerospace engineer and an educator, my current emphasis is on enhancing aviation safety through artificial intelligence and inspiring the next generation through educational efforts.
Receiving recognition as an Emirati Woman Achiever from startAD at NYUAD is simultaneously humbling and empowering, reflecting the vision of our leadership and the boundless potential of Emirati women.
This year’s theme, Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years, is a poignant reminder that our communal progress is grounded in unity, resilience, and a shared vision.