It’s all about girl power here in the UAE, with August 28 kicking off as the country’s fifth Emarati Women’s Day. With 2019’s theme being ‘The year of tolerance’ in the UAE, it’s only natural that the Emirati Women’s Day would circle around ‘Women, Icons of Tolerance.’ 

Many people probably have the impression that the Middle East is less tolerant of women gaining higher positions in society, but we’re here to tell you that they are absolutely wrong! In fact, just last year, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of the UAE, passed a brand new law that would allow women to be a part of the country’s federal council. A really huge step for the country!

And of course, what better way to celebrate the Emirati Women’s Day than to learn about these five wonderful women who achieved more than everyone thought they could.

To celebrate the occasion, the Embassy of the UAE in Washington uploaded a series of videos on their Instagram page to highlight the important roles women play in society.

Maha Al Gargawi, Vice President of International Participants at Expo 2020 Dubai

“When we look at the workforce at Expo 2020, it’s more than 50 per cent women,” Al Gargawi said in the clip.

Alia Al Neyadi, Emirati ballerina

“I think what I love about ballet so much, especially in the UAE, is the kind of family bond that we created with the group.”

Nadya Ahmed, currently pursuing a doctorate in electrical engineering

“In order to chase our dreams, to build ourselves, we have to get out of our comfort zone.”

Yasmin Baker, Emirati aerial artist

“I think it’s just inspiring to see people relentlessly going for something they believe in, that they’re passionate about.”

Fatma Mahmoud, architect and a graduate at Columbia University

Joi Gifts, the MENA’s largest online gifting marketplace, just collaborated with Château Blanc to create this massive masterpiece made up of 1,056 cupcakes that took 180 hours to complete! 

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For Emirati Women’s Day, joi partnered up with @manzildowntown and @chateaublanc.ae to pay tribute to Emirati Women and their amazing accomplishments by creating a massive mosaic portrait made up of cupcakes! This piece of art required the preparation of five different shades of frosting, 180 man-hours, and certainly LOTS and LOTS of cupcakes! 1,056 of them, to be exact; each one slightly different, but when they’re all put together, they form a powerful image! The epic ‘Cupcake Mosaic’ is on exhibit at Manzil Downtown until the 7th of September. Be sure to visit and share a picture with your friends! And stay tuned for more amazing surprises we’ll be announcing very soon! #EWD #joigifts #manzildowntown #chateaublanc #uae #dubai #emiratiwomensday #mydubai #dubailife #dubaievents #DowntownDubai #dubaihotels #dubaifoodies #dubaicupcakes #cupcakemosaic #dubaicontest #giveawaydubai

A post shared by joi – the Art of Gifting (@joigifts) on Aug 26, 2019 at 7:08am PDT

It will be on exhibit at Manzil Downtown until September 7. So it’s not too late to check it out. Also, the creators are running a picture competition of the most aesthetically pleasing shots of the mosaic. The 3 lucky winners will be gifted a one-night stay for two in a deluxe room with breakfast at the Manzil Downtown.