Every year on 28 August, the UAE marks Emirati Women’s Day, a national occasion that celebrates the achievements of Emirati women across leadership, education, entrepreneurship, science and community life. In 2026, the occasion carries extra weight: for the first time since it was launched, the celebration has been extended from a single day into a month-long national observance.
This guide covers everything worth knowing about Emirati Women’s Day 2026, from its history and this year’s theme to how government entities and the wider community are marking the occasion.
- What is Emirati Women’s Day?
- When is Emirati Women’s Day 2026?
- Emirati Women’s Day 2026 theme
- A month-long celebration for the first time
- Inspirational Emirati women
- How the UAE supports Emirati women
- How Emirati Women’s Day 2026 is being marked
- Key takeaways
- Frequently asked questions
What is Emirati Women’s Day?
UAE Women’s Day was established in 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, known as the “Mother of the Nation,” Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF). The date, 28 August, was chosen because it marks the founding anniversary of the General Women’s Union, established in 1975.
The occasion recognises Emirati women’s contributions to their families, their communities and the nation’s development, and gives government entities, businesses and individuals an opportunity to celebrate the women in their lives.
When is Emirati Women’s Day 2026?
Emirati Women’s Day falls on Friday, 28 August 2026. As in previous years, government entities across the UAE mark the date with dedicated events, campaigns and initiatives honouring Emirati women.
Emirati Women’s Day 2026 theme
This year’s theme, announced by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, is “We Emerge Stronger and Better” Rather than framing the day around individual success stories alone, the 2026 theme positions Emirati women as part of an integrated national system, built on family, community and institutional support.
A month-long celebration for the first time
For the first time since UAE Women’s Day launched, the celebration is not confined to a single day. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak announced that the 2026 observance would run for a full month, from 28 August to 28 September, describing it as “an occasion for action, appreciation, launching initiatives, and highlighting models” rather than a one-day event.
As part of the extended celebration, Sheikha Fatima called on national institutions to adopt more flexible workplace policies to support working mothers and women caring for elderly relatives or people of determination, balancing family responsibilities with professional life. The General Women’s Union, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and the Family Development Foundation are leading the month’s programming, working with partners across government and the private sector.
Inspirational Emirati women
The UAE’s progress owes a great deal to women who have broken new ground across politics, science and diplomacy. Here are three who have shaped the country’s story.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak
Known as the “Mother of the Nation,” Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak has led the UAE’s women’s empowerment movement since the country’s founding, including establishing the General Women’s Union in 1975 and Emirati Women’s Day itself in 2015. Her decades of advocacy are widely credited with shaping the policies that have opened leadership, education and economic opportunities to Emirati women.
Dr Amal Al Qubaisi
Dr Amal Al Qubaisi became the first woman elected to the Federal National Council in 2006. In November 2015, she made history again, becoming the first woman elected Speaker of the Federal National Council, and the first woman to lead a national council anywhere in the Arab world.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, played a leading role in the UAE’s successful bid to host Expo 2020 in Dubai, the first World Expo held in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa region. She went on to serve as Director-General of the Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, overseeing the event from planning through to delivery.
How the UAE supports Emirati women
UAE Women’s Day sits alongside a wider set of national policies designed to support women across health, housing and daily life.
Health services
The UAE runs dedicated women’s health programmes covering different life stages, alongside awareness campaigns on physical and mental wellbeing and outreach to women in remote communities.
Housing support
The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, run federally since 1999 and overseen by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure since 2020, offers interest-free housing loans repayable over 25 years to lower-income Emirati citizens, with priority given to widows, orphans, elderly citizens and people of determination.
Transport for women
Dubai Taxi Company runs a dedicated ladies and family taxi service across Dubai, with pink-roofed vehicles driven exclusively by women, bookable via the S’hail and Bolt apps, by street hail, or at Dubai International Airport. Similar women-focused transport initiatives exist in other emirates.
Political representation
Following a 2018 presidential directive, Emirati women now hold 50% of the Federal National Council’s 40 seats, one of the highest rates of female parliamentary representation in the world.
How Emirati Women’s Day 2026 is being marked
As part of this year’s month-long observance, government entities across the UAE are running dedicated programmes:
- Women’s day UAE Forum, organised by the Dubai Women’s Establishment, takes place on 27 August 2026 at Jumeirah City, Dubai, under the patronage of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council. The forum brings together government, semi-government and private-sector leaders to discuss women’s role in national development, building on the inaugural 2025 edition, which drew more than 700 participants.
- Federal entities including the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Prevention are marking the day with dedicated campaigns highlighting Emirati women’s achievements, including the UAE’s number-one regional ranking in the 2022 Global Gender Gap Report, women making up 66% of the public-sector workforce (30% in leadership roles), and more than 21,000 Emirati businesswomen, the highest share of female entrepreneurship in the GCC.
- Cultural and religious authorities, including Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, hold internal celebrations honouring staff and community members under the day’s theme.
- Hotels, restaurants and leisure venues across the UAE traditionally mark the occasion with dedicated offers for Emirati women. For the latest deals in the run-up to 28 August 2026, check directly with individual venues, since offers change every year.
Key takeaways
- Emirati Women’s Day falls on Friday, 28 August 2026.
- It was established in 2015 by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, marking the General Women’s Union’s 1975 founding anniversary.
- The 2026 theme is “We Emerge Stronger and Better.”
- For the first time, celebrations run for a month, from 28 August to 28 September 2026.
- Government entities including the Dubai Women’s Establishment, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health and Prevention are holding dedicated events and campaigns throughout the month.
FAQs
Emirati Women’s Day falls on Friday, 28 August 2026, and this year’s celebration extends through to 28 September 2026.
The 2026 theme, announced by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, is “We Emerge Stronger and Better.”
Emirati Women’s Day was founded in 2015 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, to mark the Union’s founding anniversary in 1975.
No. Emirati Women’s Day is a national observance rather than an official public holiday, though many government entities and businesses hold events to mark it.
