Emirati women are paving the way for many in this region, but also on a global scale.
As we celebrate incredible females from all around the world to mark International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022, Emirates Woman looks at some of the pioneering females from the UAE who continue to empower others.
Keeping in line with this year’s theme of breaking the bias to achieve a gender-equal world, where difference is valued and celebrated, these remarkable individuals are continuing to break the mould, each in their own way.
Her Highness Sheikha Sana Al Maktoum
Her Highness Sheikha Sana Al Maktoum, former Emirates Woman cover star of April 2021’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’, is the true embodiment of female empowerment. Having created her eponymous jewellery brand, Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery, with the sole aim of empowering others, she continues to build a brand and deliver an end product that is not only beautiful but also reflects the ideals that have been carefully crafted into every piece. Not only this, Her Highness continues to give back to the community, working with organisations to support students of determination, underprivileged children and championing women’s health.
You can follow her here.
Fatma Almheiri
“Keep dreaming even when you feel like you’re at a dead-end,” Fatma Almheiri wisely shared with Emirates Woman in a previous interview. With a keen passion for sartorial pieces, Fatma started her own fashion label, Venus The Label, which converts tarot card prints into wearable pieces. As well as being a proud founder and creative director, she is also communications manager at Museum of the Future. By managing multiple roles, she is a dedicated entrepreneur and is constantly inspiring women in the region in all that she does.
You can follow her here.
Butheina Kazim
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Butheina Kazim is consistently contributing and paving the way to the UAE’s burgeoning art scene. As the co-founder of Cinema Akil, an independent cinema situated in Alserkal Avenue, she has an eye for tasteful and authentic films and is one of the leading coordinators in the region. She has previously worked with several notable publications in the UAE and won the Special Jury Prize at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2010 for her very own short documentary film.
You can follow her here @butheinahk.
Sarah Al Hashimi
As a notable film director, Sarah Alhasimi has made a mark for herself in the industry. By adapting to the ever-changing needs in the film landscape and paving the way for women in the region, Sarah is on a mission to ensure true representation of Emiratis in storytelling is apparent. In a previous interview with Emirates Woman, she said, “We are each other’s inspiration. It is a cyclical process of helping each other out and building a sense of community.”
You can follow her here.
Nouf Omar
Nouf Omar holds the record of being the youngest female Emirati pilot in the UAE and has made a mark in the aviation industry. Besides the setbacks faced in her career, she has overcome challenges to fulfil her dream of becoming a pilot. For Expo 2020, Nouf was also given the title of being the Goodwill Ambassador for the Swedish Pavilion. Having led the way for younger aspiring women pilots, she’s a pioneer in her field and is on a mission to reach many more milestones.
You can follow her here.
Sarah Alagroobi
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Multidisciplinary artist Sarah Alagroobi never shies away from tackling issues head-on, in particular exploring notions of culture and identity of both Arab and Western contexts through colonial discourse. Having participated in several exhibitions such as Dutch Design Week and Art Jameel, this artist, designer and co-curator of the BANAT Collective is continuing to make a name for herself and inspiring others to do so, too.
You can follow her here.
Asma Hilal Lootah
Asma Hilal Lootah is a woman of firsts and has paved the way in the wellness space in the UAE after opening the first fully certified health clinic and wellness centre – The Hundred Wellness Centre – in the country in 2008. With a truly entrepreneurial spirit, it was Lootah’s love for Pilates that sparked her to launch The Hundred over a decade ago.
You can follow her here.
Nadia Al Khaja
Founder of SMAT in Dubai Design District, this pioneering entrepreneur launched the brand in 2021 and quickly grew it to be one of the most popular cafés in Dubai. In an ongoing quest for education and inspiring young women to do the same, Nadia is constantly on a mission to ensure more female leaders come to the forefront.
Minwa Al Hamed
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From the muse of Sana Al Maktoum Fine Jewellery to Michael Cinco’s campaign shoot to being an Emirates Woman cover star, Minwa Al Hamed has already achieved such noteworthy milestones at a young age. As a passionate artist, her talent is not limited to one profession as she has translated them into her career path. By constantly pursuing her passion for art and modelling, she continues to inspire women in similar fields on how to balance both. She’s the ultimate example of beauty with brains.
You can follow her here.
Maitha Al Qubaisi
Emirati endurance rider Maitha Al Qubaisi is one of the trailblazers for the next generation in the UAE. By prioritising education at home, she was taught to be independent and courageous no matter what challenges lie ahead. Despite the hurdles of being thrown off by a horse multiple times at speed, she’s constantly motivated to do better and how sport has taught her that any win is not individual yet collective. Having received so many accolades at a young age, she continues to be a role model for many.
You can follow her here.
Noora Saeed
Noora Saeed a top restauranteur in the UAE and quickly innovated with her vision to fill the gap in the healthy food eating space. She first opened the Instagrammable café VIBE in 2018, with aesthetic dishes and quaint interiors, making it the first of its kind in the UAE. The restaurant became a popular hotspot for many as it offered unique flavours and something different to what was in the market already. By inspiring other female Emirati restauranteurs in the industry, she has been a leader for future female entrepreneurs. Having also ventured into the beauty industry, her cult beauty brand, Lash Dubai, was also praised by the Kardashians.
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