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The UAE is home to some of the most influential women in the Arab world. Learn more about the women who are making history today!
3 March 2016
| Last updated on 24 July 2017
On March 8, the world celebrates Women’s Day, and as such, we present you with the United Arab Emirates’ most influential leading ladies.
Sheikha Lubna Khalid al Qasimi
Known for her role as the Minister of Development and International Cooperation, and the UAE’s first female minister, Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Khalid Sultan al Qasimi has an extensive roster to her name that confirms her role as a UAE national and one of the most influential women in the Arab world.
As her experience lies in the IT (information technology), HE Sheikha Lubna has been recognized for developing a complex system that reduced cargo turnaround time at the Dubai International Airport, in addition to being the founder of the Middle East’s first and most successful business-to-business virtual market place across the Middle East.
Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimi
Photo Credit: http://2014.ablfseries.com/
A member of the chair of Dubai Cares and the Minister of State and Managing Director for the Dubai World Expo 2020, HE Reem Al Hashimi was the former Deputy Chief of Mission at the United Arab Emirates’ embassy, located in Washington, DC.
Her other work also includes being a chairperson to the Emirates Competitveness Council and the National Bureau of Statistics.
Dr. Amina Al Rustumani
Photo Credit: Campaign Middle East
Aside from her work in the freezone, Dr. Amina Al Rustamani also contributed significantly to the success of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), amongst many other things.
Fatima Al Jaber
Photo Credit: Construction Week Online
As the chief operating officer (COO) of the famous Al Jaber Group, Fatima Al Jaber is responsible for an estimated $4.9 billion in assets, and directs more than 50,000 staff in the Abu Dhabi-based business.
The corporation, which takes pride in some of the UAE’s most iconic projects was founded by her father Obaid Al Jaber, and has been an ongoing success, even after her appointment to the giant firm almost five years ago.
Raja Al Gurg
Photo Credit: Gulf Business Online
Business woman Raja Al Gurg does not hold back when it comes to managing businesses. Her impressive line of work includes being the Managing Director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, a Board Member of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President of the Dubai Business Women’s Council and a Coard Member of the Dubai Women Association.
Aside from this, Al Gurg is also keeping her hands full as she is a member of the Dubai Government’s Economic Council, Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry Business Women Committee, Arab International Women’s Forum and the National Advisory Council for Zayed University’s College of Business Sciences. Her impressive and extensive list of responsibilities is infinite and influential as she tackles some of the biggest departments in the UAE.
Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi
Photo Credit: Mubadala.com
As the President of the Federal National Council, Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi is the region’s first female leader of a national assembly. Defying the gender norms, Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi was also the first woman to supervise one of the council’s meetings.
Recognized as the first woman to be appointed to the Abu Dhabi Educational Council, Dr. Amal is passionate about preserving history and is tackling this issue by making school appearances and speaking with teachers, students and school officials about the importance of culture, and history, and addressing her concerns with the United Nationals Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Noura Al Kaabi
Photo Credit: Fujairah News
As the first woman to be selected for LinkedIn’s Global Influencer Program in the Middle Easy and North Africa (MENA) region, Noura Al Kaabi is a board member of the National Media Council, Abu Dhabi Media, Image Nation and the United Arab Emirates University. In addition to this, she is also a committee member of the Federal National Council and Economic Development Committee and is the chairwoman of the Emirates Media Measurement Company.
The selection to be LinkedIn’s Global Influencer puts her on a list of highly recognizable individuals including, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoom, US president Barack Obama and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Noura Al Kaabi is named one of Forbes Middle East’s 30 Most Influential Women in Government and was presented with the Business Woman of the Year at the Gulf Business Industry Awards.
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Salma Hareb
Photo Credit: Middle East Trade and Expo
As the CEO of Jebal Ali Free Zone Area (JAFZA) and its parent company Economic Zones World (EZW), Salma Hareb is recognized for being the first female in the Middle East and North Africa region to be selected as the head of an economic free zone, that is said to be one of the most successful and sufficient freezones in the region.
Muna Harib Al Muhairi
Photo Credit: The National
After hearing about the Syrian refugees in Jordan, Muna Harib Al Muahiri set herself on a mission to change the world, to the best of her ability. She is the founder of the Breathing Numbers charity, which she hopes will deliver help and tell the untold stories of the Syrian refugees.
Her charity, which began with a team of one, has expanded and she now has 21 people in her team.
The charity has donated more than 3000 winter clothes, 1,200 blankets and 200 heaters to children at Zaatari, Jordan. In addition to this, the charity has provided 265 caravans to replace their tents (valued at AED8625 per caravan) medical aid and education for children within the refugee camp.
Muna believes that the living conditions of the refugees are horrifying, as each family lives in a tent. Her hope for the future is her ongoing project that aims to deliver caravans (mobile homes)
Mona Al Marri
Photo Credit: Al Arabiya English
In addition to her role at GDMO, HE Mona Al Marri is also the Vice President of Dubai Ladies Club and has been appointed as the chairperson of the Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) Board, which is said to be one of the most active women empowerment organisations in the region.
SEE ALSO: Making the Most Out of Abu Dhabi
Nayla Al Khaja
Photo Credit: Digital Production Middle East
As a producer, director and CEO of D-Seven Motion Pictures, Nayla Al Khaja has an extraordinary list of films that tackle some of the most controversial issues that have otherwise been swept under the rug.
As an Emirati film maker, Nayla is proving herself in an industry that has only recently began to evolve in the UAE.
Nayla has received several awards in the past few years and is also recognizes as the founder of the first film club in Dubai.
Nayla has been awarded the 2005 Emirates Woman Award from late Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Dr. Maryam Matar
Photo Credit: The National
As a leading person in the UAE’s public health sector, Dr. Maryam Matar has launched several initiatives including; UAE Down Syndrome Association, UAE Genetic Diseases Association and UAE Free of Thalassemia 2012.
Dr. Maryam was nominated for one of the top 20 most influential women in science in the Muslim world, after her impressive research about Thalassemia, a disease which effected 1 in 12 Emirati citizens.
