The Dubai Women’s Foundation Board of Directors, chaired by Mona Ghanem Al Merri, held its third meeting of 2026, addressing the institution’s projects and initiatives lined up in its action plan until the end of the year. The main goal is to continue supporting Emirati women, enhancing their leadership and professional capabilities, and expanding their participation across various sectors, thereby contributing to the competitiveness of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
Review of Achievements and Upcoming Initiatives
During the meeting, the board reflected on the foundation’s significant achievements over the past months, highlighted by the successful organisation of the second edition of the Emirati Women’s Forum. This event took place on 27 August in Jumeirah, in tandem with Emirati Women’s Day, attracting nearly 2,000 prominent officials, experts, academics, executive leaders, and personnel from governmental, semi-governmental, and private institutions. The forum featured 18 speakers, seven main and panel discussions, six specialised workshops, and four interactive experiences, all supported by 11 partners.
Priorities for Women’s Empowerment
Mona Ghanem Al Merri emphasised that the Dubai Women’s Foundation is committed to enhancing its programmes and initiatives. “We operate under a clear vision that prioritises investing in the capabilities of Emirati women and preparing them for future demands”, she stated. The foundation aims to create supportive environments for women’s professional growth, showcasing the diverse range of programmes they implement with domestic and international partners. This reflects their dedication to adapt to job market changes and address the needs of women at various stages of their careers.
Governmental Support and Future Directions
Al Merri noted that the foundation’s plans and initiatives stem from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, highlighting the importance of investing in human potential for the future of Emirati society and economy. She also referred to directives from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, concerning the need to establish a government and community system capable of meeting future challenges through the development of government performance and enhancement of national competencies.
Recognition of Contributions
During the meeting, Mona Al Merri acknowledged the efforts and support of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Women’s Foundation, in advancing initiatives that expand the scope of training and development programmes. This approach supports the active contributions of Emirati women towards development and enhances their presence in leadership positions within future sectors.
Upcoming Programmes and Events
The meeting also reviewed outcomes from several initiatives implemented recently, including the “Tamkeen Plus” programme, which concluded in June 2026. Over a year of training, this initiative targeted 22 female leaders and committee members from governmental and semi-governmental entities in Dubai, featuring 11 sessions and workshops covering leadership, artificial intelligence, innovation, and mental health, along with topics on executive presence, vision-building, and goal-setting.
Additionally, the council examined the results of the 2026 Emirati Women’s Forum held under the slogan “We Appear Stronger and Better”, which was inspired by this year’s Emirati Women’s Day celebration. Al Merri affirmed that the success of the second forum edition marks a critical milestone in the foundation’s journey. “The forum has proven its capability to serve as a platform for gathering leaders, expertise, and ideas around Emirati women’s issues and future opportunities”, she stated, expressing anticipation for building on this accomplishment for future iterations of the forum.
Future Programmes on the Horizon
Naima Ahli, the Executive Director of the Dubai Women’s Foundation, presented updates on several upcoming programmes, including the Executive Programme for Women Leaders, set to take place in the UK from 24 to 31 October, conducted in collaboration with Hult Ashridge Executive Education. This initiative targets female leaders at the middle management level within the public and semi-public sectors. Furthermore, the “Women Towards Future Leadership” programme is scheduled for November in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi, aimed at early-career female employees.
Lastly, the council discussed the foundation’s event plans for September, celebrating Emirati Women’s Day, which includes various workshops, events, and signing memoranda of understanding with several governmental and private entities. They also reviewed ongoing projects concerning the development of policies that support women, aligning with the UAE’s vision and directions for promoting family stability and enhancing social and economic prosperity.