Emirati women remain custodians of the UAE’s cultural identity

Abu Dhabi: Emirati women have played a pivotal role in safeguarding the UAE's cultural identity and have contributed to the country's evolving cultural and creative landscape, according to Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Abu Dhabi Festival. Speaking to Gulf News on Emirati Women's Day, Alkhamis-Kanoo highlighted the significance of Emirati women in preserving heritage, the influence of the nation's Mother, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, and the expanding role of young Emirati women in culture and the arts.

In seafaring and Bedouin communities, women were involved in managing trade and land while the men were away and they played a crucial role in preserving culture through language, memory, poetry, and hospitality, said Alkhamis-Kanoo. Today, Emirati women have broadened their roles across various sectors, crediting the UAE's leadership and Sheikha Fatima for creating opportunities for women.

Sheikha Fatima not only championed women's empowerment but also demonstrated ambition and confidence while remaining connected to their roots. Reflecting on the establishment of ADMAF in 1996, Alkhamis-Kanoo drew inspiration from the UAE and Abu Dhabi's vision. Despite culture not being fashionable at the time, she felt empowered by Abu Dhabi and began her journey driven by her passion for music and arts.

Alkhamis-Kanoo considers her work as part of a larger narrative, serving as a bridge connecting artists and opportunities. She emphasized the resilience and progress of Emirati women, stating that pioneering requires resilience. The theme for this year's Emirati Women's Day, "We Emerge Stronger and Better," reflects the resilience and continued advancement of Emirati women.

Alkhamis-Kanoo highlighted three qualities she sees in the next generation of Emirati women: sincerity, courage, and fluency. She noted that young Emirati women are genuine, willing to take risks, and can navigate between their heritage and modern digital spaces. Culture and the arts can contribute to the UAE's international presence, as culture is where a nation's story lives and telling one's story is a form of sovereignty.

Emirati women serve as important voices representing the UAE abroad, with an increasing presence in international cultural and artistic spaces. In the growing creative economy, opportunities for women extend beyond being artists, including roles such as producers, curators, administrators, lawyers, technicians, funders, and policymakers.

Alkhamis-Kanoo hopes that women continue to contribute their talent to all facets of the creative economy, as those who build the structure determine what happens inside it.