Dubai Municipality has inaugurated an exhibition named Athar that presents the talents businesses and success stories of Emirati women as part of Emirati Women’s Day observances. The display at Hewi Nad Al Sheba offers a platform for female entrepreneurs to connect with wider community segments and highlights their ongoing contributions across multiple sectors. According to the municipality the initiative aligns with national efforts to empower women and expand opportunities for local enterprises.
The exhibition incorporates a series of interactive workshops expected to engage around 250 participants including children adults women senior citizens and people of determination. Sessions cover topics such as fashion design perfume making handicrafts woodworking and other creative pursuits designed to appeal across age groups. Dubai Municipality reported that these activities blend entrepreneurship with hands-on learning to foster greater community involvement.
Visitor hours for the exhibition run from 5pm to 10pm on weekdays and from 5pm to 11pm on weekends allowing flexible access for families and professionals. The program combines showcases of established businesses with fresh prospects for emerging talents to reach new audiences. As the ‘Athar’ exhibition highlights Emirati women’s achievements it underscores the impact reflected in the exhibition title which translates to trace or influence in Arabic.
Figures from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation place the number of Emirati women working in the private sector at 123388 by the end of the first half of 2026 marking a 128 percent increase from 2023. The ministry data indicate that 98 percent of these positions are skilled roles while women account for 55 percent of Emiratis in leadership and executive posts within the private sector. Such statistics illustrate the expanding presence of female professionals that the exhibition seeks to celebrate.
A Grant Thornton UAE report found that women constitute 66 percent of the public sector workforce and hold 30 percent of diplomatic positions across the country. The assessment also noted a 200 percent rise in women occupying board seats between 2021 and 2024 following policy mandates that require at least 20 percent female representation among board nominees. These trends provide context for the exhibition’s focus on economic participation and leadership development.
The UAE Gender Balance Council has reported that Emirati women represent 70 percent of all university graduates and 56 percent of STEM graduates from government universities. Additional data from the council show female literacy rates have climbed to 95.8 percent from 31 percent in 1975 reflecting long-term investments in education that began in the nation’s earliest decades. Organizers expect the exhibition to draw thousands of visitors and have partnered with local entities to extend its educational reach beyond the event period.
