Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) marked Emirati Women’s Day by holding its 11th Emirati Women’s Day Forum, focusing on the empowerment and leadership of Emirati women within the organisation and the wider community. The event’s theme, ‘Hand in Hand: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary’, was closely linked to the UAE’s broader Year of Community initiative.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director & CEO of DEWA, addressed attendees at the forum alongside HE Maitha Mohammed Al Shamsi, CEO of the Social Empowerment Sector at Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA). Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s ongoing commitment to policies that promote equal opportunities for female employees, especially in sustainability and clean energy fields.
“It is a pleasure to join you today in celebrating the enduring empowerment of Emirati women and highlighting their remarkable achievements and contributions to the UAE’s economic and social development. Today, we reflect on the great strides the UAE has made in elevating the status of Emirati women in society. We also highlight the unprecedented levels of excellence and leadership achieved by Emirati women locally, regionally and globally, thanks to the visionary approach laid by the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace,” said Al Tayer.
“This legacy continues under the wise guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, whose unwavering support has enhanced Emirati women’s quality of life and motivated them to thrive across all sectors. Celebrating this honourable national occasion reaffirms our belief in the potential of Emirati women and their essential role in achieving national goals, preserving societal values, protecting families and nurturing future generations capable of continuing the UAE’s journey of achievements across various sectors and sustaining its civilised and developmental approach,” added Al Tayer.
“At DEWA, we support the efforts of the Women’s Committee, which represents a fundamental pillar in achieving our goals of establishing world-class standards for institutional work that supports women while meeting the aspirations of our female Emirati employees and providing them with the means and resources to help them perform their duties and realise their ambitions. This enables them to play a more influential and efficient role in DEWA’s journey of excellence and shape a more prosperous and greener future for all. We commend all your efforts in the process of nation-building and achieving sustainable development,” Al Tayer concluded.
DEWA currently employs 1,938 women across all divisions. Of these employees, 835 are engaged in engineering or technical roles. A significant portion—1,206—hold supervisory positions. Emirati nationals make up 85% percent of DEWA’s female workforce. The number continues to grow as more female staff contribute significantly to organisational achievements.
During her remarks at one session during this year’s forum—which drew over 300 female employees from DEWA as well as committee members from other Dubai government entities—Al Shamsi stated: “The Emirati Women’s Day Forum embodies a national occasion of which we are proud, through which we recall the achievements of Emirati women. In the Year of Community, the value of this presence is enhanced, as women emerge as essential partners in promoting community initiatives that contribute to achieving community cohesion and stability. We appreciate DEWA’s initiative to organise this valuable forum, as it carries empowering messages and provides a platform for exchanging experiences and anticipating the future. At the Community Development Authority, we affirm our continued support for initiatives that advance the status of women and enhance their effective participation in serving society, out of our belief that women have been and will remain one of the pillars of sustainable development in the UAE.”
Fatima Al Jokar—the Chairperson for DEWA Women’s Committee—said management supports efforts aimed at creating an enabling environment for female staff across many roles: “The committee encourages Emirati women to transform challenges into opportunities, anticipate future needs and shape a sustainable future. The committee also co-operates with government and private agencies to organise community, professional and specialised events, as well as conduct benchmarking visits to exchange best knowledge experiences… Through Edhaa initiative we highlight achievements… driving real change in sustainability.”
The forum included four main sessions addressing leadership models among community service providers; inspiring stories from leaders serving society; success stories from engineers overcoming challenges; interactive sessions on employee experiences; visual presentations showcasing success stories; recognition ceremonies for distinguished contributors; exhibitions featuring heritage crafts; five interactive events inspired by national identity; participation from over ten inspiring speakers; all held under this year’s ‘Year Of Community’ framework.
