Abu Dhabi Celebrates Women Entrepreneurs Through Month-Long Initiative

The Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council has concluded a comprehensive programme honouring Emirati women's achievements, creating tangible pathways for economic participation and business growth across the emirate.

Throughout August and September, the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council orchestrated a series of thoughtfully curated events designed to elevate and empower women entrepreneurs across the emirate. Held under the theme ‘Together, We Rise Stronger and Better’, the month-long Emirati Women’s Month initiative reflected the vision of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, whose leadership has long championed the translation of recognition into practical opportunities that strengthen women’s contribution to national development.

The programme extended far beyond ceremonial recognition. Events, workshops, exhibitions and networking activities formed a deliberate ecosystem connecting Emirati women entrepreneurs with government entities, economic institutions and strategic partners. Under Her Shade, held at Qasr Al Hosn on 28th and 29th August in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism, drew H.H. Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and featured panel discussions alongside an exhibition showcasing seven Emirati women entrepreneurs and creatives. The focus on traditional handicrafts and cultural heritage preservation underscored how business and cultural identity reinforce one another.

International engagement formed a crucial dimension. As we reported in our coverage of strategic economic ties between Emirati and Chinese businesswomen, the Council partnered with the General Women’s Union and the UAE Embassy in Beijing to organise the Chinese Women Business Leaders Networking Forum on 15th September. The gathering brought thirty companies from Abu Dhabi and China together, facilitating direct engagement, knowledge exchange and market access that extends Abu Dhabi’s economic reach into new territories.

In Al Ain, From Her to Her on 23rd and 24th September, developed in collaboration with Al Ain Museum and the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Al Ain branch, wove entrepreneurial success stories with practical workshops on embroidery, doll-making and traditional fashion. Six women-owned businesses exhibited their work, whilst information on entrepreneurial support services was made readily available. Concurrently, a partnership with ADNOC Distribution created an Emirati Women’s Day Bazaar featuring eleven Emirati brands, offering entrepreneurs a platform to strengthen market visibility.

Smaller gatherings proved equally significant. A networking reception with House of Rituals Café brought together more than twenty women entrepreneurs for product showcases and professional connection-building. The Emirati Concept networking session, organised with startAD and Curate, examined the experiences of female founders and opportunities within the retail sector, drawing fifteen women entrepreneurs to its inaugural gathering.

Asma Al Fahim, Chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, emphasised that genuine empowerment must be measured through tangible impact on business growth, sustainability and competitiveness. The Council is developing an integrated ecosystem enabling women to progress from establishing ventures to building sustainable and competitive companies, recognising that investment in Emirati women’s capabilities strengthens and diversifies Abu Dhabi’s economy whilst expanding their role in shaping future opportunities.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The month-long programme represents a strategic commitment to embedding women’s economic participation within Abu Dhabi’s development narrative. By connecting entrepreneurs with government entities, international partners and fellow business leaders, the initiatives create lasting networks and pathways that extend far beyond September’s conclusion, positioning women’s entrepreneurship as integral to the emirate’s sustainable economic growth.

The Council’s work signals that recognising women’s achievements translates into measurable economic outcomes. With focus on both traditional sectors and emerging opportunities like retail expansion, and with international partnerships opening markets across Asia, these initiatives support not only individual business success but Abu Dhabi’s broader economic diversification and global competitiveness.

Source: WAM