If you live, work or invest in the UAE, Emirati Women’s Day is one of those dates you cannot ignore. Every year on 28 August, the entire country pauses to honour the women who shape its homes, workplaces, institutions and future.

In 2025, the day carries even more weight. It is a golden milestone year with the official theme “Hand in Hand, Celebrating the 50th” (also expressed as “Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years”). Understanding what this actually means will help you celebrate the day in a way that feels authentic—whether you’re planning a school event, a corporate campaign, a community initiative or a simple gesture at home.

What Is Emirati Women’s Day?

Emirati Women’s Day is a national occasion dedicated to recognising the power, achievements and leadership of Emirati women in every corner of society—government, business, science, arts, sports, education and family life.

It’s not just an “honorary” date on the calendar. The day is meant to:

• Recognise women’s role in building and shaping the UAE’s development model.
• Celebrate women’s progress—from the early pioneers to today’s ministers, astronauts, CEOs and cultural icons.
• Reaffirm the UAE’s commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusive growth.

Behind the day’s creation is the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, widely known as the “Mother of the Nation”. She serves as:

• Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU)
• President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood
• Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF)

Under her leadership, the UAE established the General Women’s Union in 1975, which has been a driving force for women’s empowerment for half a century. Emirati Women’s Day is closely tied to that journey.

Why Is Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August?

Emirati Women’s Day is celebrated every year on 28 August. This date is associated with the founding and role of the General Women’s Union, and it has become a symbolic moment when the UAE:

• Looks back at 50 years of women’s progress.
• Highlights outstanding female role models across sectors.
• Launches new programmes, campaigns and initiatives focused on women and girls.

What started as an institutional initiative has grown into a national tradition. Today, you see Emirati Women’s Day embraced by:

• Government ministries and authorities
• Corporates and family businesses
• Schools, universities and youth programmes
• Families and community groups across all emirates

Emirati Women’s Day 2025 Theme: “Hand in Hand, Celebrating the 50th”

The Emirati Women’s Day 2025 theme is:

“Hand in Hand, Celebrating the 50th”
/ “Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years”

On the surface, it marks the 50th anniversary of the General Women’s Union (1975–2025). But the wording is intentional and layered in meaning.

Meaning of “Hand in Hand”

“Hand in hand” is not just a poetic phrase. It signals:

• Partnership between women and men, where empowerment is a shared responsibility.
• Unity between institutions and communities—government, private sector, civil society and families moving in the same direction.
• Solidarity across generations—honouring the women who led in the 1970s and 1980s, and empowering the girls and young women who will lead the next 50 years.

It underlines that women’s empowerment in the UAE has always been inclusive and collaborative, not an isolated agenda.

Meaning of “Celebrating the 50th”

“Celebrating the 50th” refers to five decades of female empowerment since the GWU was founded. In that time, the UAE has moved from a phase where opportunities for women were limited to a reality where Emirati women are:

• Ministers and parliamentarians in the Federal National Council.
• CEOs and entrepreneurs leading major firms and startups.
• Scientists, engineers and technologists driving innovation.
• Judges, diplomats and senior officers in the justice and security sectors.
• Artists, authors and athletes representing the UAE on regional and global stages.

By naming the 2025 Emirati Women’s Day theme around this golden jubilee, the country is publicly recognising that this progress was deliberate, structured and continuous, not accidental.

Linked to the “Year of Community” 2025

2025 is also declared the UAE’s Year of Community. This gives the 2025 Emirati Women’s Day theme an extra layer of relevance:

• Women are acknowledged as pillars of community life—in families, neighbourhoods, workplaces and civic spaces.
• The emphasis shifts from individual success stories to social cohesion and collective responsibility.
• Empowerment is framed as something that strengthens bonds between people, not just individual careers.

So when you see “Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years”, read it also as an invitation: How will you contribute to community-building by empowering women around you?

The Role of the General Women’s Union in Emirati Women’s Progress

To understand the meaning of Emirati Women’s Day 2025, you need to understand the General Women’s Union (GWU) itself.

Since 1975, the GWU has acted as the national umbrella organisation for women’s development in the UAE. Its role includes:

• Policy advocacy and strategic plans to enhance women’s participation in all sectors.
• Training and capacity-building programmes for Emirati women of different ages and backgrounds.
• Initiatives deeply rooted in national identity, cultural values and social cohesion.
• Partnerships with local and international organisations to align with global best practices on gender equality.

The 2025 Emirati Women’s Day theme is therefore also a tribute to the vision of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and to decades of structured work carried out by the GWU to ensure Emirati women are equal partners in the UAE’s story.

Why Emirati Women’s Day Matters in the UAE Today

You might see the social media posts and the offers and think of Emirati Women’s Day as mainly ceremonial. In reality, it has deep strategic significance for the country.

1. Recognising Achievements Across Every Field

Emirati women have reached positions that were almost unthinkable two or three generations ago. On Emirati Women’s Day, the country publicly recognises:

• Government leaders—ministers, ambassadors, members of the Federal National Council.
• Entrepreneurs and business leaders—from major family businesses to tech startups.
• Scientists and engineers—including space, energy, healthcare and AI.
• Judges, lawyers and diplomats who shape law and foreign policy.
• Artists, authors and athletes who carry Emirati identity to the world.

This visibility is especially powerful for young Emirati girls (and boys), who see what is possible.

2. Reinforcing Long-Term Policy and Vision

Women’s empowerment is not treated as a side project in the UAE. It is integrated into:

• National development strategies
• Economic diversification plans
• Social stability and family-strength policies

Emirati Women’s Day acts as a yearly check-in point: institutions measure progress, announce new initiatives, and refresh commitments to gender equality and inclusive growth.

3. Inspiring the Next Generation

The day is also about the future. Through events, campaigns and storytelling, Emirati Women’s Day:

• Encourages girls to pursue education, STEM fields and leadership roles.
• Invites boys and men to see themselves as partners in empowerment.
• Pushes institutions to identify and remove barriers to women’s full participation.

4. Strengthening Community and Family Values

Especially in 2025’s Year of Community, the day highlights how Emirati women are central to:

• Caregiving and family life
• Education and mentorship, both formal and informal
• Volunteering and civil society leadership
• Community cohesion during times of change

Emirati Women’s Day becomes a moment to recognise not just high-profile leaders, but also the women who quietly keep communities strong.

How Emirati Women’s Day Is Celebrated Across the UAE

Because it’s a national occasion, you see different layers of celebration—from government initiatives to simple family gatherings.

Government and Institutional Initiatives

• Official messages and tributes from the country’s leadership, especially Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, praising women’s contributions and outlining future goals.
• Campaigns spotlighting achievers—for example, “Emirati Women Achievers”-style series profiling women in entrepreneurship, public service, arts, science, sports and more.
• Licensing and business support highlights, where authorities share data on new licences issued to Emirati female entrepreneurs and launch new support programmes.
• Partnership programmes with hospitals, universities, accelerators and NGOs to launch mentorships, innovation challenges or health campaigns for women.
• Sports and well-being events organised by bodies like the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA), including regional competitions such as GCC women’s tournaments.

Corporate and Educational Engagement

You’ll also see active participation from schools, universities and private companies:

• Lectures and panel discussions on the history of Emirati women and current-day leaders.
• Student exhibitions and projects showcasing women’s contributions in science, business, culture and public service.
• Workplace events such as fireside chats, leadership workshops and mentoring circles for women employees.
• Internal campaigns highlighting female staff achievements in newsletters, intranets and corporate social media.
• Policy updates—some companies use the occasion to announce enhanced parental leave, flexible working, or diversity and inclusion initiatives.

How to Celebrate Emirati Women’s Day 2025

With the golden jubilee theme, you have an opportunity to design celebrations that are more than symbolic. Below are practical ideas you can adapt at home, at school, in your organisation or community.

1. Join Cultural Events and Exhibitions

Cultural programming around Emirati Women’s Day is a great starting point. You can:

• Attend exhibitions on historic and contemporary Emirati women.
• Join panel discussions and talks on women’s roles in nation-building, art and heritage, science and innovation.
• Look for film screenings, storytelling evenings or poetry nights focused on women’s narratives.

These events are particularly valuable if you’re planning content for students or corporate teams and want authentic local stories to highlight.

2. Support Women-Led Businesses

One of the simplest but most impactful ways to mark Emirati Women’s Day is to support women entrepreneurs directly:

• Buy from Emirati women-owned brands in fashion, design, food, tech or wellness.
• Choose women-led professional services—consultancies, clinics, agencies, creative studios.
• Promote women founders in your internal communications or social media content.

For corporates, even committing a percentage of procurement or event spending to women-owned suppliers around 28 August sends a strong message.

3. Explore Emirati Women’s Day Offers and Experiences

Across the UAE, you’ll notice a wave of Emirati Women’s Day offers:

• Discounts and packages for women in hospitality, retail and wellness.
• Themed experiences—spa days, afternoon teas, cultural tours, masterclasses.
• Co-branded campaigns that combine recognition of women’s achievements with special promotions.

These can form the basis of a team activity, family outing or client engagement if you’re planning something more experiential.

4. Celebrate with Thoughtful Gifts and Flowers

On a personal level, sometimes the most powerful gestures are the simplest. To recognise the Emirati women in your life—family members, colleagues, clients or mentors—you might consider:

• Emirati Women’s Day flowers
  • Bouquets in the UAE national colours (red, green, white, black).
  • Classic rose flower bouquets as a “thank you” gesture.
  • Special Emirati Women’s Day flower arrangements that local florists curate for the occasion.
• Personalised gifts
  • Books by Emirati women authors.
  • Art, jewellery or crafts created by women artisans.
  • Customised stationery or accessories with inspiring quotes.
• Handwritten notes or digital messages
  • A sincere card, email or message expressing how a woman has impacted your life or career.

If you’re abroad or travelling, you can still send Emirati Women’s Day flowers via local online florists and pair them with a note that references the 2025 theme.

5. Give Back to the Community

To align with the Year of Community, consider turning celebration into contribution:

• Volunteer with organisations focused on women and girls—education, skills training, entrepreneurship, health or sports.
• Donate to scholarships, grants or incubators specifically supporting Emirati women.
• Offer your professional skills pro bono (legal, financial, marketing, coaching) to early-stage women-led initiatives.

This approach reflects the spirit of “Hand in Hand”: not just applauding achievements, but actively enabling more women to thrive.

6. Educational and Corporate Programmes for Emirati Women’s Day 2025

If you’re planning Emirati Women’s Day at a school, university or workplace, think beyond a single ceremony. You can design programmes that leave a lasting impact.

For Schools & Universities

• Integrate content on the history of the General Women’s Union and major milestones in Emirati women’s progress into lessons.
• Invite Emirati women leaders and alumnae to speak about their journeys.
• Encourage student-led projects—short documentaries, podcasts, art exhibitions or blogs on Emirati women’s achievements.
• Organise a school assembly or university event where students present speeches or performances around the 2025 theme.

For Workplaces & Corporates

• Host a panel discussion or fireside chat with senior Emirati women in your organisation or network.
• Launch or amplify mentorship and sponsorship programmes for women employees.
• Use Emirati Women’s Day to review gender-inclusive policies—hiring, promotion, parental leave, flexible work.
• Create a recognition programme where colleagues nominate women who have contributed strongly to the team or culture.

7. Use Social Media to Amplify #EmiratiWomensDay

Social media is where much of the conversation around Emirati Women’s Day happens. You can participate meaningfully by:

• Using hashtags like #EmiratiWomensDay, #HandInHand50Years and #CelebratingWomenUAE.
• Sharing short profiles of inspiring Emirati women (famous or from your own circle).
• Posting quotes from women leaders, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak or the Emirati Women’s Day 2025 theme.
• Documenting events, panels or family celebrations in a respectful, uplifting way.
• Outlining your organisation’s commitments to women’s empowerment, rather than only posting greetings.

The most engaging posts tend to combine authentic stories + visual content + clear commitments, rather than generic congratulatory messages.

8. Celebrate Within the Family

At home, Emirati Women’s Day is an opportunity to build values of respect, gratitude and ambition in the next generation. You can:

• Host a family gathering where you intentionally acknowledge the women’s achievements—academic, professional or personal.
• Encourage children to write letters or draw cards for their mothers, grandmothers, aunts or sisters.
• Share stories of pioneering Emirati women and connect them to the 2025 “50 years” narrative.
• Prepare a special meal or small gifts as tokens of appreciation.

These small rituals help children understand that empowerment starts at home, long before anyone holds a title or award.

Emirati Women Shaping the Future: Key Sectors of Impact

Emirati Women’s Day also invites you to look at how women are shaping the UAE’s future across specific fields. This can be a powerful angle for speeches, lessons or campaigns.

STEM and Space

Emirati women are increasingly present in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including the space sector. Their work in research labs, engineering firms, universities and national space programmes is central to the country’s innovation goals.

Government, Law and Diplomacy

In government, women serve as ministers, ambassadors, FNC members, judges and senior advisors. Their leadership signals that policy-making in the UAE reflects the perspectives and experiences of both women and men.

Business and Entrepreneurship

From tech startups to hospitality brands, Emirati women entrepreneurs are driving economic diversification. As business owners, board members and CEOs, they play a crucial role in creating jobs and innovating new services and products.

Arts, Culture and Sport

In arts and culture, Emirati women are authors, filmmakers, visual artists, musicians and curators whose work shapes how the UAE is perceived globally. In sports, initiatives like the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy have opened doors for female athletes to compete regionally and internationally.

Emirati Women’s Day Themes Over the Years (2015–2025)

Each year, Emirati Women’s Day has a specific theme that reflects the country’s evolving priorities. While wording varies slightly year to year, the themes consistently highlight:

• Women’s leadership in development and nation-building.
• Partnership between women and men, and across institutions.
• Family and community as the foundation for empowerment.
• Future readiness—education, innovation and digital skills.

The 2025 theme, “Hand in Hand, Celebrating the 50th”, stands out as a golden milestone—a moment to look back at five decades of effort and to set the tone for the next fifty.

Emirati Women’s Day Quotes & Message Ideas for 2025

If you’re crafting a speech, social media content or internal email for Emirati Women’s Day 2025, consider weaving in the official theme and its concepts. Example angles:

• Gratitude + theme: “Hand in hand, we celebrate 50 years of Emirati women leading, creating and building the UAE’s future.”
• Community focus: “In the Year of Community, Emirati women stand at the heart of our families, workplaces and cities. Today we honour their strength and partnership.”
• Forward-looking: “As we celebrate 50 years of progress, we commit to the next 50—where every Emirati woman has the opportunity to lead, innovate and thrive.”

Pairing these messages with visuals of real Emirati women in your organisation or community will make your content far more powerful than stock imagery alone.

Quick FAQs on Emirati Women’s Day 2025

When is Emirati Women’s Day celebrated?
Every year on 28 August.

What is the theme for Emirati Women’s Day 2025?
The official Emirati Women’s Day 2025 theme is “Hand in Hand, Celebrating the 50th” / “Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years”, marking the 50th anniversary of the General Women’s Union (GWU), founded in 1975.

Why is Emirati Women’s Day important?
It honours Emirati women’s contributions, reinforces the UAE’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, and inspires younger generations through real role models.

How can individuals celebrate Emirati Women’s Day 2025?
You can:

• Attend cultural events and exhibitions.
• Support women-led businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Explore Emirati Women’s Day offers and experiences.
• Give thoughtful gifts or flowers to the women in your life.
• Volunteer or donate to women-focused causes.
• Share positive messages and stories using #EmiratiWomensDay and #HandInHand50Years.

How can schools and workplaces mark the day?
By organising talks, panels, workshops, recognition programmes and student projects that highlight the meaning of Emirati Women’s Day, the 2025 theme and real examples of women’s achievements in the UAE.

Hand in Hand, Towards the Next 50 Years

Emirati Women’s Day 2025 is more than a celebration; it is a checkpoint in a long journey. The theme “Hand in Hand, Celebrating the 50th” captures three powerful truths:

• Women’s empowerment has always been a collective effort.
• The UAE’s progress over the last 50 years is tightly linked to the advancement of Emirati women.
• The next 50 years will depend on how effectively the country continues to unlock women’s potential in every sector and every community.

Whether you are an individual, an educator, a corporate leader or a community organiser, you have a role to play. How you choose to honour, support and stand hand in hand with Emirati women on 28 August—and every other day—will shape the story the UAE tells in its next golden jubilee.