Beyond borders: The global significance of Emirati Women’s Day in 2025

By Seade CAESAR

Emirati Women’s Day, celebrated annually on August 28, honors the contributions, achievements, and resilience of Emirati women in shaping the UAE’s progress. Established in 2015 by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation,” to mark the anniversary of the founding of the General Women’s Union in 1975, the day has grown into more than a celebration.

In 2025, it stands as a powerful global call for empowerment, gender equality, and innovation. Emirati women are excelling in education, entrepreneurship, and governance, offering a model for inclusive progress that resonates far beyond the UAE’s borders.

Beyond its borders, the UAE’s approach provides valuable lessons for nations seeking to harness the transformative potential of women for sustainable development and prosperity.

Education: A Foundation for Global Empowerment

Education remains the strongest pillar of women’s empowerment in the UAE. Today, Emirati women account for nearly 77% of higher education enrollment and 70% of all graduates, making the UAE one of the few countries globally where women outnumber men in tertiary education. In science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), women comprise 57% of graduates from government universities a critical indicator of future readiness in innovation-driven economies.

Beyond numbers, this investment in education equips women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take on leadership roles in government, business, and research. Globally, the UAE offers a model of how prioritizing women’s education transforms talent pipelines, accelerates social mobility, and ensures sustainable development across generations.

Economy & Entrepreneurship: Women in the Driver’s Seat

Women now account for 34.6% of the UAE’s workforce, a steady rise from previous years, reflecting the country’s commitment to closing the gender participation gap. Importantly, 18% of entrepreneurs in the UAE are women, and nearly 78% are under age 40.

This youthful demographic is driving innovation and creating a new wave of female-led enterprises. Many women entrepreneurs operate in technology, services, and green industries, positioning the UAE as a global hub for inclusive economic growth. Their presence in the economy is not symbolic, rather it actively contributes to employment, GDP expansion, and global competitiveness.

Entrepreneurial Optimism and Business Growth

Recent research highlights a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit among Emirati women. 84% are considering starting their own businesses, signaling a powerful cultural and economic shift. Established women-led businesses are highly confident, with 98% expecting revenue growth in the next five years.

This optimism reflects both strong government support for female entrepreneurship and increasing access to funding networks, accelerators, and mentorship programs. Sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, renewable energy, and creative industries are witnessing a surge of women-led enterprises. This momentum not only reshapes the UAE’s domestic economic landscape but also positions Emirati women as regional trendsetters in innovation-led growth.

Women’s Contribution to GDP and SME Growth

Emirati women now play a central role in shaping the UAE’s economy. They contribute over 20% of national GDP, a figure that continues to grow as women-led businesses expand. There are more than 25,000 women-led enterprises across the country, with 50% of SMEs in Dubai owned by women a crucial sector that drives job creation and economic diversification.

In 2024, women-led startups attracted over $100 million in funding, demonstrating investor confidence in their potential. By balancing innovation with sustainability, women entrepreneurs are strengthening the UAE’s long-term competitiveness while providing a blueprint for inclusive economic resilience globally.

Regional Entrepreneurship and the Rise of AI Adoption

The entrepreneurial wave among women extends beyond the UAE into the broader Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa (EEMEA) region. Across this space, 78% of women aspire to launch businesses, with Gen Z showing the strongest drive at 89%. Emirati women stand at the forefront of this regional transformation, leveraging advanced technologies to scale their businesses.

Notably, 75% of women founders now use AI tools, which help reduce costs, streamline operations, and enhance innovation. By combining traditional entrepreneurial skills with cutting-edge technology, Emirati women are redefining what female entrepreneurship looks like globally inclusive, tech-driven, and future-focused.

Leadership & Governance: From Representation to Impact

Global Gender Gap Ranking Progress

In 2025, the UAE climbed five places in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index, moving from 74th to 69th globally, while maintaining its position as the highest-ranked country in the MENA region.

This improvement reflects sustained investments in policies advancing gender balance, from workplace inclusion programs to leadership quotas. Globally, this is significant because it shows that countries in traditionally male-dominated regions can rapidly close gender gaps when reforms are intentional.

The UAE’s progress provides a blueprint for emerging economies, proving that measurable gains in equity are achievable when policy frameworks and institutional support align.

Representation in Government

Women in the UAE now hold one-third of ministerial roles, 50% of seats in the Federal National Council, and comprise 46% of the government workforce. This level of representation is remarkable in a region historically underrepresented by women in politics.

Globally, it demonstrates that women’s participation is not symbolic but structural, embedding gender balance within the nation’s governance fabric. By involving women at decision-making tables, policies are more inclusive and reflective of diverse perspectives. For other nations, particularly in Africa and Asia, the UAE provides a compelling case study that gender equity strengthens governance, social trust, and institutional performance.

Private Sector Leadership and Economic Impact

Beyond politics, Emirati women are exerting influence in the private sector. They now chair 66% of government jobs, manage enterprises worth over AED 50 billion, and hold 30% of leadership roles in business. This signifies more than just participation but rather it illustrates how women’s leadership is directly linked to economic transformation.

In the UAE, inclusive corporate governance has been shown to improve organizational resilience and innovation. Globally, these statistics challenge outdated narratives of women as passive economic actors. Instead, they highlight the critical role of women-led leadership in driving competitiveness and sustainability across sectors, industries, and markets.

Gender Balance as Strategic Advantage

Today, gender balance in leadership is recognized as both a social imperative and a business strategy. In the UAE, boardroom female representation has increased 200% since 2021, with 40% of investors factoring women’s representation into decision-making. This aligns with global evidence showing that companies with gender-diverse leadership outperform peers in profitability and innovation.

The UAE’s approach redefines gender equity from being a moral obligation to a competitive advantage. For global policymakers and business leaders, the lesson is clear: equitable leadership not only fosters fairness but also drives financial performance, investor confidence, and long-term economic sustainability.

Why the World Should Look to the UAE

“Beyond Borders” isn’t just a slogan but it reflects how the UAE’s Emirati Women’s Day exemplifies inclusive growth that transcends national boundaries. Here’s what makes it globally relevant:

Education → Talent

The UAE’s investment in women’s education, particularly in STEM, offers a critical global lesson. With 70% of Emirati university graduates being female and 57% in STEM disciplines, the country shows how prioritizing access and opportunity creates a pipeline of skilled professionals ready for the future economy.

Globally, this model is vital in addressing the gender imbalance in science, technology, and leadership fields, where women remain underrepresented. By ensuring that women receive equal academic support and encouragement to pursue advanced fields, countries can build resilient, knowledge-based societies with a stronger, more diverse workforce capable of driving innovation and growth.

Entrepreneurship → Economic Resilience

The entrepreneurial surge among Emirati women reflects a paradigm shift with global implications. Women-led businesses in the UAE contribute over 20% to GDP, with more than 25,000 enterprises and SMEs driven by women. Their adoption of AI where 75% of female entrepreneurs report productivity gains positions them as leaders in digital transformation.

Globally, this illustrates how women’s economic participation can diversify economies, reduce unemployment, and boost innovation. When women have access to funding, mentorship, and markets, they not only uplift their households but also generate community-wide prosperity, creating resilient economies that can better withstand global disruptions and crises.

Leadership → Governance

The UAE’s strides in women’s leadership demonstrate the transformative power of gender-inclusive governance. With 50% of the Federal National Council composed of women, 30% leadership in the private sector, and one-third of ministerial roles held by women, the UAE shows that representation translates into influence. Globally, diverse leadership fosters inclusive decision-making, enhances institutional trust, and attracts investment as 40% of global investors now assess gender balance before investing. This balance creates legitimacy in governance and ensures that diverse perspectives shape policy. The UAE’s example proves that equitable leadership is not symbolic but strategic, advancing sustainable growth worldwide.

A Call to Action for Africa

On Emirati Women’s Day 2025, let’s go beyond borders in spirit and policy:

Integrate STEM and leadership skills early into girls’ education globally

To truly replicate the UAE’s success, countries must prioritize STEM education and leadership development for girls from primary school onward. Early exposure nurtures confidence, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Coupled with mentorship and global exchange programs, this equips women to lead in technology-driven economies and governance structures worldwide.

Support women entrepreneurs through capital, networks, and digital tools particularly in AI

Women-led enterprises thrive when barriers to finance, mentorship, and technology are broken. Governments, investors, and institutions must establish gender-responsive funding, mentorship hubs, and AI-driven business platforms. Providing access to digital resources and cross-border markets strengthens resilience, accelerates innovation, and ensures women-led businesses become integral players in global economies.

Institutionalize representation and set tangible targets in government and corporate boards

Representation should be intentional, not incidental. Countries can adopt quotas or benchmarks to ensure gender-balanced participation in governance and corporate decision-making. When women hold visible, influential positions, it builds societal trust, improves institutional accountability, and drives inclusive growth. Gender parity in leadership must be treated as a development priority.

Conclusion

Emirati Women’s Day in 2025 is more than a national celebration; it is a global benchmark for gender equity and inclusive growth. By advancing education, fostering women-led entrepreneurship, and ensuring representation in leadership and governance, the UAE demonstrates that empowering women drives sustainable progress.

The lessons transcend borders: nations that invest in women’s potential unlock innovation, resilience, and stronger institutions. As the world faces complex social and economic challenges, the UAE’s experience offers a replicable blueprint proving that when women rise, societies prosper. Beyond borders, Emirati women symbolize possibility, leadership, and shared global progress.

Seade is the Executive Director, Africa Global Policy and Advisory Institute

[email protected]

(With strong focus on Africa-Gulf cooperation)

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