International Women’s day is celebrated on 8th March every year and this evoked in the year 1911. Suffragettes created it with an aim to wipe out discrimination against women and achieve the gender equality. It is celebrated as a symbol of respect and gratitude towards women for their economic, political and social achievements. It’s not just a day for a specific country or group, it belongs to all groups all around the world. The logo that represents International Women’s Day is of purple and white colors that looks like Venus, which also a symbol for female.
International Women’s Day is an official holiday among 20 countries including Afghanistan. The theme for international women’s day in 2020 is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights“ this theme is proposed by UA women’s.
Inspiring Women from UAE & KSA
UAE solely celebrates women’s day on 28th August, since 2015. Women in UAE plays a major role in the social, political, cultural, scientific, and economic growth of the UAE. UAE is one of the countries where women are bequest with several opportunities and they are given equal priority in society. Women showcase their talent and wisdom in all sectors – be it Medicine, Arts, Business or Politics.
At present there are nine female members in the UAE cabinet and women are given 66% of government jobs. World Economic Forum 2016 Global Gender Gap Report said that UAE is one of the leading countries in gender equality. On the occasion of International women’s day, lets checkout about famous women who strived for the growth of their nation.
1. Shaikha Lubna Bint Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi
Lubna is one of the famous and influential women in the United Arab Emirates. She worked as Minister for Foreign Trade in 2008 and then worked as Minister of International Cooperation and Development from the year 2013 to 2016. Shaikha Lubna Bint Khalid Bin Sultan Al Qasimi belongs to Sharjah’s ruling family and she completed her B.tech at California State University, Chicago.
She has been voted as one of the top 55 powerful women in the world by Forbes magazine and also been the first woman to get the Clinton Global Citizen Award. As claimed by the Arabian business, Lubna has contributed to boost UAE as a major donor.
2. Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi
Reem is chairperson of Dubai Cares, which is one of the biggest organizations in the country. She was elected as Minister of State that helped her to play a major role in the federal government. Now, she is appointed as Board Representative of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and also Director-General of the Bureau Dubai Expo 2020.
3. Mariam al Mansouri
Mariam al is the first female fighter pilot of the United Arab Emirates and she is the first woman to join emirates air force academy when women were allowed to join. She also flies f-16 Fighting Falcon and led UAE mission against ISIS over Syria. She was awarded Mohammed bin Rashid Pride of the Emirates medal for excellence in her field.
4. Lubna Olayan
Olayan is the CEO of Olayan Financing Company. She is the most exceptional famous businesswomen in Saudi Arabia and first woman to join the board of Saudi publicly listed company. Olayan got listed in Times Magazine as one of the 100 influential women of the world in the year 2005. Olayan chairs Afanar is one of the first Charity organization in Arab Countries. She received an honorary law degree from Trinity College as “a role model for women in the Middle East”.
5. Princess Ameerah Al- Taweel
Princess Ameeah Al-Taweel is a Human activist, philanthropist & entrepreneur who improve and promote the image of Saudi women. She started an orphanage in Burkina Faso and traveled to Pakistan to provide aid and relief to the country’s flood victims and to support education. She served as vice-chairman and head of the executive for Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation in Saudi Arabia and also the chairperson of Time Entertainment. As a chairperson of Kingdom Holding company, she traveled extensively on behalf of Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation to understand the problems around the world. In 2011, Princess Ameerah received a “Humanitarian Award” on behalf of Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation.
6. Mona Al Munajjed
Mona Al-Munajjed is a women rights activist, sociologist,author and spent nearly two decades in advising agencies. Some of her books were Saudi Women Speak; 24 Remarkable Women Tell Their Success Stories (2006) and Women in Saudi Arabia Today. She was ninth among 100 influential Arab women in the Arabian business. She was rewarded with the United Nations’ 2005 UN-21 Award for her work with the Kingdom’s NGOs in 2005.
International Women’s Day Events:
Be yourself because you are beautiful, powerful and lot more inspirational than what you think about yourself. Women out there!! come and take the pleasure of special days and events that UAE has got for you. Celebrate your existence and achievements on this International Women’s Day in budget, adding more savings!
1. Women’s Forum Middle East 2020
Government of the United Arab Emirates is organizing the first-ever women’s day conference in the Middle East, on the occasion of International women’s day. More than 600 leaders, philosophers are coming for the event.
Dates: 7th March Saturday, from 10 pm – 9th March Monday 3 am
Venue: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
2. Celebrate International Women’s Day with This Special Luncheon
They are celebrating International women’s day at Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai with female creators and there is a chance of meeting them. They are also conducting styling workshops for working women, and many opportunities to win prizes and giveaways by booking tickets to Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai
Date: Sun, 8 Mar, 12–3 pm GMT+4
Time: 12–3 pm
Venue: Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai
Ticket cost: AED 150 per person
3. Sorbonne Women’s Day – Volleyball Tournament
Sorbonne University is conducting a Volleyball contest for women, as a part of women’s day celebrations in associated with Imperial College London Diabetes Center and the Higher Education Sports Federation female. The contest is conducted with 2 groups, 6 teams in each and 10 members for each team. Winners will receive exclusive prizes & live tv coverage.
Date: Friday 6th March 2020
Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm
Venue: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
Ticket cost: Price per team: AED 630
4. Empowering Filipino Women in the Middle East
FEME is managing International women’s day this year by talking “How Women Should Dress in the 21st Century “and get inspired by a Filipina who is well known for being success in every aspect.
Date: Sat Mar 07, 2020,
Time: 12:30 pm
Venue: FEME Connect, Level 14, Boulevard Plaza Tower One Emaar Boulevard Downtown Dubai, 334155 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
5. International Women’s Day 2020 at Zen Professional
This event is organized by WomenEd in association with Zen PD. It is mainly for Leaders, Business Owners, School Leaders. In this event, you can meet speaker Laura Everest and you can have a small conversation with her about work-life balance. You can involve yourself in the debate.
Date: 8 March, 2020
Time:12–4 pm Venue: Zen Professional Development Training Centre, Sky Garden 14th Floor, 48 Burj Gate, Sheikh Zayed Road / Down Town, Dubai
6. African International Women’s Day Event in Dubai
African International women’s day is conducted in Dubai to inspire and empower African women all over the world. The main aim to conduct this event is to bring sedulous African women for a trip to concentrate on oneself. This event offers personal and professional development workshops. Speakers are coming from various backgrounds to provide competence in the area of women’s lives. This event will bring deep change in your life.
Date: 6 Mar 2020 & 10 March 2020
Time: 9 am-5 pm
Venue: FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel – Dubai
7. FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel –IWD 2020
They are inviting to have tea time with the Australian Business Group and the Australian Embassy. Some famous women will be taking part in this event and they will share their life stories in the event.
Date: 8 Mar, 2020
Time: From 10 am
Venue : Grand Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl
8. IWD 2020 In Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort
Make International women’s day more beautiful with Radisson Blu Hotels delightful buffet. Have a good time with varieties of gastronomic delights and relish the day with a glass of wine.
Date: 8 Mar,2020
Time: 8 p.m –11 p.m
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort
9. International Women’s Day Breakfast Event
Planning an event with a classic breakfast appears to be a unique idea. Breakfast event is a special way of boosting the whole day from morning. Enjoy the day!!
Date: 8 Mar,2020
Time: 8–10 am
Venue: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel and Residences Dubai Al Barsha
10. Yoga Women Day Celebration
This event gives the opportunity to empower the divinity in us. They are calling all the women to experience yoga session for 75 min, they are going to start the event with an open circle by respecting everyone over there then they will move to yoga postures and the session will be ended with a meditation followed by a dance.
Date:8 Mar,2020
Time: 7:30 – 8:45 pm
Venue: Rooftop of The Studio, Corniche-Abu Dhabi
Celebrate the women’s efforts in establishing their identity. Raise your voice and built that basic awareness that people require to know about what gender inequality can cause. Let’s celebrate it together and show our love and how much she mean for us in life.
Not just today, everyday!
