H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, 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), highlighted today that Emirati Women’s Day serves as a profound celebration of the journey, achievements, and contributions of Emirati women, emphasizing their crucial role in nation-building.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, during a ceremony organised by ADNOC to mark the 11th annual Emirati Women’s Day, H.H. said: “Emirati Women’s Day this year coincides with The UAE Year of Community, which underscores the insightful vision of our wise leadership. They have established forward-looking policies aimed at enhancing women’s capabilities and skills and strengthening their role as key drivers of national progress.”
H.H. added: “I am certain that the wise leadership trusts that women, equipped with knowledge, expertise, and experience, are fully capable of working alongside their male counterparts in building future generations. Emirati women are a cornerstone of our society, instilling strong values and noble morals in our youth while advancing the goals of the UAE’s sustainable development. This is the best investment women can make, one that deserves recognition and appreciation.”
H.H. praised the efforts of Emirati women who have successfully balanced their roles in the society with active participation in the economy and public life. She also acknowledged the pivotal role of ADNOC, under the leadership of Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, in fostering opportunities and supportive workplace policies that empower women to thrive professionally while fulfilling their family responsibilities.
Shikha Fatima emphasised that building a stable and healthy family remains a national priority and that women play a central role in achieving this goal. She expressed confidence in Emirati women’s ability to meet today’s challenges and adapt to global change, ensuring the UAE remains a safe, prosperous, and future-ready.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “Empowering women in the UAE is a deeply rooted approach established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and continuously reinforced by our wise leadership and H.H. Sheikha Fatima. Guided by this legacy, we are firmly committed to empowering Emirati women and equipping them with the skills and resources to excel, particularly in the fields of energy, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence, enabling them to take on key technical and leadership roles across the company. We will continue to invest in their growth and development, recognizing their vital role in delivering ADNOC’s ambition to be the world’s most AI-enabled energy company.”
This year, the UAE celebrated Emirati Women’s Day under the theme “Hand in Hand,” reinforced at ADNOC’s event at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre. The program included a panel discussion titled “From Ambition to Achievement: Emirati Women Contribute to ADNOC’s Transformation in Artificial Intelligence,” which showcased how ADNOC is enabling its female workforce to leverage AI tools to improve operational performance and efficiency.
Since 2016, the representation of women at ADNOC has doubled across various roles, particularly in AI, engineering, technical positions, and senior leadership. Currently, women occupy 26% of leadership roles and serve on the boards of 20 out of ADNOC’s 21 Group companies. Operational roles at ADNOC sites now include 20% more women, reflecting the company’s commitment to advancing gender diversity.
ADNOC recently celebrated the graduation of nearly 150 engineers from its AI Accelerators Program, a fast-track initiative designed to build practical AI skills for deployment across the company, with Emirati women representing over 40% of the cohort. Additionally, ADNOC received the “Parent-Friendly Label” from the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority in recognition of its supportive policies for working families.
Through its “Energy for Wellbeing Strategy,” ADNOC has introduced flexible work options and tailored support to help employees balance parenting responsibilities with professional growth.
(Inputs from WAM)
