During a recent celebration for Emirati Women’s Day, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the nation's inaugural female minister, shared poignant reflections on the evolution of women's roles in the UAE. She emphasized that Emirati women have always been the backbone of society, demonstrating immense resilience and strength long before the country’s formal union. Recalling her own appointment as a minister, she candidly admitted to feeling initial anxiety about managing a major economic portfolio in a landscape where such leadership was unprecedented. However, she credited the unwavering trust and support from the UAE’s leadership and her colleagues for enabling her to navigate those early challenges and succeed in her role.

Beyond her ministerial tenure, Al Qasimi highlighted that true empowerment in the UAE is rooted in deep-seated cultural values and a long-standing history of women contributing as professionals across all sectors. She underscored the importance of balancing modern global engagement with the preservation of national identity, noting that Emirati women today continue to serve as the "makers of generations." By stressing that education and patriotism begin within the home, she encouraged women to embrace their dual roles as leaders in the workforce and as foundational figures in the family, ensuring that future generations remain anchored in the values that have defined the nation’s remarkable progress.