In recent years, Emirati women have asserted a remarkable presence in the fields of science, technology, and space, demonstrating that the UAE’s vision for women’s empowerment is not merely a slogan but a tangible reality supported by government policies and national strategies. From education to manufacturing, and from artificial intelligence to space exploration, the achievements of Emirati women continue to expand across vital sectors that, until recently, were reserved for a limited elite.

The launching point was education, as UNESCO reports indicate that 61% of graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in the UAE are women, while the percentage reaches 56% in public universities. This academic excellence did not remain confined to classrooms; it translated into active participation in scientific research and advanced industries. Women constitute 86% of the national workforce at “Strata Manufacturing,” which supplies global companies such as “Boeing” and “Airbus” with aircraft structure components.

In the field of space, Emirati women captured global attention through the “Emirates Mars Mission,” also known as the “Hope Probe,” which entered Mars’ orbit in February 2021. Women comprised 80% of the mission’s scientific team, led by Sarah Al Amiri, who later became the UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency. Additionally, Nora AlMatrooshi, the first Emirati and Arab woman astronaut, completed her training at NASA in 2024, opening the door for future Emirati participation in upcoming international space missions.

Within the scope of artificial intelligence, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi has become a key platform for preparing female talent, with women making up 31% of enrolled students. The government is working to boost this percentage through training programs and initiatives that encourage women to engage in future technologies—especially since recent studies have shown that diverse programming teams achieve higher-quality work in software development and AI systems compared to homogenous teams.

Women’s presence is not limited to space sciences and artificial intelligence, it also extends to industrial innovation. Noura AlMazrouei, for instance, developed a project to produce energy drinks and cosmetic products from date pits, therefore combining biotechnology with economic sustainability.

This growing presence is accompanied by the UAE’s progress in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Index. The UAE notably advanced five places, thanks to legislative reforms and increased representation of women in leadership roles, particularly in scientific and technological sectors.

Riding this powerful wave of progress, Emirati women are not just contributing to the nation’s knowledge-based economy. They carve a bold, unmistakable Emirati female signature into the scientific future of the UAE.