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Women’s empowerment: 23 quotes from the Mother of the Nation

HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak is Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and known as the ‘Mother of the Nation’.

HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi is the wife of the late UAE founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who prioritised gender equality.

She is seen as the pioneer of women’s work in the UAE and a huge supporter of women’s rights and advancement.

Since the 1960s, HH Sheikha Fatima has encouraged women to receive an education and to join the workforce.

She established the first women’s association in 1973, then the General Women’s Union in 1975, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood in 2003 and the Family Development Foundation in 2006.

She chairs all three and is also the Honorary President of the Emirates Red Crescent.

HH Sheikha Fatima was born in the Al Hayer area of Al Ain City, to a Bedouin family.

She is mother to six sons and two daughters:

HH General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, her first son
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafrah region of Abu Dhabi Emirate
HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi
HH Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor
HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Court
HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE
HH Sheikha Shamma bint Zayed Al Nahyan
HH Sheikha Al-Yaziya bint Zayed Al Nahyan

In 2017 she was honoured by UN Women, a global champion for gender equality, for for her efforts in the UAE to promote female equality and empowerment.

She has also been given the titles ‘Mother of Sheikhs’ and Mother of the Arabs’.

Here are 23 quotes celebrating the Mother of the Nation on Emirati Women’s Day.

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. "With all pride, I say that equality today is guaranteed for women in the UAE.” — “With all pride, I say that equality today is guaranteed for women in the UAE.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. "The UAE has made gender balance an integral part of the nation's social culture." — “The UAE has made gender balance an integral part of the nation’s social culture.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “My ambition to achieve more gains and achievements for Emirati women is limitless.” — “My ambition to achieve more gains and achievements for Emirati women is limitless.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “The right to equality is a right guaranteed to UAE women.” — “The right to equality is a right guaranteed to UAE women.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Emirati women have proved they are worthy of their responsibilities and the leadership's trust and support.” — “Emirati women have proved they are worthy of their responsibilities and the leadership’s trust and support.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “The concept of the empowerment of women in the UAE is no longer a mere linguistic term or a theory. It is a reality.” — “The concept of the empowerment of women in the UAE is no longer a mere linguistic term or a theory. It is a reality.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Emirati women have achieved successes that inspired the entire world. Today, they have aspirations and ambitions to create a prosperous and sustainable future.” — “Emirati women have achieved successes that inspired the entire world. Today, they have aspirations and ambitions to create a prosperous and sustainable future.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “The [Emirati] woman now works in all fields. She has managed to change many social perceptions and to prove to the whole world her capability, success and excellence.” — “The [Emirati] woman now works in all fields. She has managed to change many social perceptions and to prove to the whole world her capability, success and excellence.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “The active participation of women in all areas in now clear to see in every facet of Emirati society.” — “The active participation of women in all areas in now clear to see in every facet of Emirati society.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “I believe that women are able to participate in all business fields, proficiently and efficiently.” — “I believe that women are able to participate in all business fields, proficiently and efficiently.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Emirati women have proven to everyone that they are capable of supporting the country under all circumstances.” — “Emirati women have proven to everyone that they are capable of supporting the country under all circumstances.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “I am confident that the participation of Emirati women in preparing for the next 50 years will be invaluable and influential, as they are competent and capable in achieving our nation’s goals and aspirations.” — “I am confident that the participation of Emirati women in preparing for the next 50 years will be invaluable and influential, as they are competent and capable in achieving our nation’s goals and aspirations.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Emirati women have always been a cornerstone of the country's present and future, and all relevant achievements on the ground are the fruits of the hard work that involved their participation.” — “Emirati women have always been a cornerstone of the country’s present and future, and all relevant achievements on the ground are the fruits of the hard work that involved their participation.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Prominent female figures will be leading the charge during COP28, setting an example through our sustainable approach to recognising the competence, excellence and creativity of Emirati women." — “Prominent female figures will be leading the charge during COP28, setting an example through our sustainable approach to recognising the competence, excellence and creativity of Emirati women.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Emirati women play an active role in the various areas of national action through their positive contribution to the country's economic, social and cultural transformations.” — “Emirati women play an active role in the various areas of national action through their positive contribution to the country’s economic, social and cultural transformations.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. "A woman today is no longer bound by her traditional role at home, as wider horizons are open before her; now she is an active member of society.” — “A woman today is no longer bound by her traditional role at home, as wider horizons are open before her; now she is an active member of society.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “I salute women who have worked to excel as members of their families or mothers who help raise the world's future generations.” — “I salute women who have worked to excel as members of their families or mothers who help raise the world’s future generations.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “I would like to express my appreciation to all women who have shown dedication in driving their countries' development and bringing about a brighter future.” — “I would like to express my appreciation to all women who have shown dedication in driving their countries’ development and bringing about a brighter future.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “I have always believed that mothers are the backbone of nations. Inside every mother is a nation full of love and authenticity.” — “I have always believed that mothers are the backbone of nations. Inside every mother is a nation full of love and authenticity.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Emirati women are responsible for raising future generations.” — “Emirati women are responsible for raising future generations.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Education is the window through which women look at civilisations. Education is... the continued advancement of our society.” — “Education is the window through which women look at civilisations. Education is… the continued advancement of our society.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Among the most prominent gains of women under the Union are education and employment.” — “Among the most prominent gains of women under the Union are education and employment.”

Quote from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to celebrate Emirati Women's Day, curated by Aurora50. “Mothers are the primary teachers who raise the nation’s men and women.” — “Mothers are the primary teachers who raise the nation’s men and women.”

Stories about Emirati women

Six Emirati women in science: Cybersecurity specialist Dr Hoda Alkhzaimi, HE Sarah Al Amiri, chair of the UAE Space Agency, Salma Al Hajeri, one of the first women to graduate from Abu Dhabi’s Petroleum Institute, Aisha Al Mansoori, the first female Emirati captain in a commercial airline, aspiring scientist Alia Al Mansoori, and Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman astronaut
Emirati women leaders: how they did it: Fahima Al Bastaki, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)’s chief business and market development officer; Dr Noura Al Dhaheri, head of the Digital Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports and CEO of Maqta Gateway; Fatma Al Jabri, assistant governor of financial crime, market conduct regulation and consumer protection for the Central Bank of the UAE: Dena Almansoori, group CHRO of Etisalat and founder/ CEO of WhiteBox HR; Fatema Al Nuaimi, CEO of ADNOC LNG: HE Maryam Alsuwaidi, chief executive officer of Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (ESCA).
Be seated: 10 UAE women board directors to know: Hind Al Ali; Raja Almazrouei; Fatima Abdulla Al Fahim; HE Aarefa Al Falahi; HE Dr Raja Al Gurg; Elham Al Qasim; Maha AlQattan; Mariam Balfaqeh; HE Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr; Dr Moza Sweidan

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