{
  "id": 6215915,
  "title": "Empowered to lead: How Emirati women are shaping the UAE’s future",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/empowered-to-lead-how-emirati-women-are-shaping-the-uaes-future",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T01:57:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/empowered-to-lead-how-emirati-women-are-shaping-the-uaes-future-1.500666278"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Emirati Women’s Day is not just about individual accomplishments; it symbolizes a collective national belief that women are integral partners in the UAE's development, bolstering its economy and shaping its future. This year, the celebration spans an entire month under the theme \"We Emerge Stronger and Better.\" The progress of Emirati women is a result of decades-long investments in education, legislation, professional growth, family stability, and leadership opportunities. The UAE has evolved its perspective of women's empowerment beyond mere participation; it now aims to enable women to lead, shape decisions, acquire deep expertise, and contribute to sectors defining the nation's future. A case in point is the healthcare sector, where Emirati women are not only entering the profession in larger numbers but also developing specialized skills, leading teams, contributing to research, and shaping the future of healthcare in the UAE. The National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023-2031 encapsulates this vision, providing a national framework to enhance the quality of life of Emirati women, bolster their leadership, and increase their participation in society and the economy. Importantly, this policy acknowledges that a woman's professional journey is intertwined with broader life aspects, such as family stability, economic security, educational access, and meaningful opportunities. Emirati Women’s Day 2026 underscores how empowering women at various stages of their lives and careers enables them to maintain employment, develop skills, and pursue long-term ambitions. This, in turn, strengthens families, enriches workplaces with diverse talent, and fortifies the national economy. Enhanced family support is evident in recently amended policies, such as the Nafis program, which removed the previous limit on the number of eligible children for Emiratis in the private sector, and the Salary Support Scheme, which expanded to include children of female nationals and wives of male nationals working in the private sector. These measures recognize that nurturing national talent also involves supporting the families behind it. As more Emirati women venture into sectors beyond the conventional government domain, their impact becomes even more significant. Today, over 70% of UAE nationals in the private sector are Emirati women, signaling a substantial contribution to the country's evolving economy. However, the significance lies not just in the numbers but in the impact these women make after entering professional realms. Are they advancing into specialized fields? Are they leading teams and organizations? Are they influencing policies, conducting research, starting businesses, and paving opportunities for future generations? The UAE is increasingly witnessing that they are. Women are excelling in aviation, finance, technology, government, diplomacy, entrepreneurship, science, education, advanced industries, energy, and healthcare. They are not only present but also shaping these sectors with leadership, expertise, and decision-making. Healthcare exemplifies this progress, showcasing the remarkable evolution of Emirati women's roles in the field. No longer just participating, they now pursue advanced education, specialize in various medical fields, engage in research, and lead in medical decision-making. Their contributions span research, genomics, precision medicine, and other emerging areas, which will shape the future of healthcare. This progress is not only evident in direct patient care but also in scientific advancements, personalized treatment approaches, and the establishment of UAE expertise in these areas.",
  "summary": "Emirati Women’s Day has never only been about individual achievement. It reflects something larger: a national belief that women are essential partners in building the UAE, strengthening its economy and shaping its future. That idea carries particular significance in 2026. Under the theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better,” this year’s celebration extends across an entire month, creating space not…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}