8 Icons You Need to Know on Emirati Women’s Day

In celebration of Emirati Women's Day, we're looking back at all the inspiring conversations we've had with the UAE's most iconic female trailblazers. From professional athletes who actively work against the odds, to artists who disrupt the niches they exist within, to filmmakers who insist of bringing a woman's viewpoint to commercial films, these Emirati women exemplify the innovative spirit of the era.

Meera AlMidfa 
Actress

“The Emirati women I know are driven, fierce, passionate, and also have an amazing sense of humour.”

Nouf Al Anzi
Footballer

“We won the league that season, and I even scored the fastest goal,” she says. “But more than that, it was about proving to myself, and to others, that we belong on that stage.”

Fatima ElAwadhi
Mountaineer

“I wanted to show young Emirati girls that we belong outdoors, in challenge, and in leadership.”

Sophie Kazan Makhlouf
Artist

“Whatever new media or concepts I hear about, when I speak about them to artists in the UAE, they always seem to have an insight and an opinion, or have already engaged in some way.”

Alia bin Omair
Founder of Alia bin Omair

"For me, thoughtful design means creating pieces that are intentional in every aspect—from the materials used to the emotions they evoke. It’s about designing not just for aesthetics, but with a deeper connection to culture, history, and personal stories."

Tamara Bakir
Founder of Manifest Beauty

“When your vision of the future is strong enough, you don’t need to know how it will happen. What we lack in knowledge can be filled with passion and determination.”

Rabail Ali
Founder of Good Candy Co

“I knew what I wanted from day one. I didn’t just want to be another candy brand. I wanted a sense of mission, a sense of community.”

Reem Almenhali
Theatre director

“We chose to unplug ourselves from the old theatre ecosystem and create something new - something contemporary that would inspire new works of theatre.”