Three Emirati women share what identity, ambition and tradition mean to themLast updated: August 27, 2026 | 06:006 MIN READShamma Al Tawash, Nouf Alzaabi, Afra AlduhooriFor Emirati women today, identity can mean many things at once. It can be about staying connected to family, culture and traditions while also pursuing education, building careers, exploring new fields and creating opportunities for themselves.As the UAE continues to grow and change, Emirati women are taking on roles across education, sustainability, business, sport and many other areas. But alongside these opportunities, many continue to see their culture and values as an important part of who they are.For UAE Women’s Day, Afra Alduhoori, Nouf Alzaabi and Shamma Al Tawash share what being an Emirati woman means to them today, how they balance tradition with modern life and what they hope to pass on to the next generation.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.'Proud of who you are'For Afra Alduhoori, being an Emirati woman today is about having the confidence to build your own future without losing sight of where you come from.“For me, being an Emirati woman means being strong, independent, and proud of who I am. I want to build my own future while always staying connected to my culture and values,” Afra Alduhoori tells us.She believes Emirati women can embrace modern opportunities while still holding on to the values they grew up with.“I’m open-minded and I like to develop myself, but at the same time, my traditions and family values are very important to me. I try to take the best from both,” she explains. Education and building the future