Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, founded Emirati Women’s Day in 2015 to honour the invaluable contributions Emirati women have made to the nation’s progress. This year, rather than marking the occasion for a single day, the celebrations extend across an entire month, running from 28 August to 28 September. To commemorate the milestone, MOJEH sits down with established Emirati women who continue to make an impact on society in more ways than one.
For this instalment of the Emirati Women’s Month series, MOJEH meets Ghaliya Ahli, entrepreneur and founder of Gigi Dubai. Gigi Dubai is a community-focused wellness concept that marries lagree and lifestyle into one seamless space. Offering fitness classes and a space for connection, Gigi Dubai was born from Ghaliya’s desire to create concepts that support and encourage women, having been inspired by the support she has felt by the UAE. Here, she discusses the importance of ambition, feeling empowered by the nation’s resilience and the traditions that shaped her.
The theme of Emirati Women’s Day 2026 is “We Emerge Stronger and Better.” What has the nation’s resilience taught you and what do you think it has shown the world?
The UAE has taught me that resilience is not simply about overcoming challenges; it is about using them as an opportunity to grow, evolve and come back stronger. I think our country has shown the world what is possible when you have a clear vision, strong leadership and are not afraid to keep moving forward, to dream big and achieve even greater. I think it almost makes you addicted to achieving success because you’re in a country that is constantly moving, evolving and setting the bar higher, and that naturally pushes you to do the same. In short, the UAE is a culture of excellence.
How has the UAE empowered you as an Emirati woman?
The UAE has empowered me as a woman by giving me the opportunity to turn my dreams into goals, and my goals into reality. It has made dreams feel not so far from reality, but rather like real possibilities waiting to be achieved. I feel very blessed to be Emirati, a country that provides women with endless support, opportunities and possibilities to achieve, succeed and think big. A country where women can be powerful, ambitious and recognised for what they accomplish. It gave me the confidence and drive to constantly create opportunities rather than wait for them.
Emirati Women’s Day has been extended to a month-long celebration. How do you intend on celebrating the women in your life?
For me, celebrating women goes beyond one day or one month. I’m surrounded by amazing women and I want to celebrate them by continuing to support them however I can, celebrate their successes and create spaces where women feel seen and encouraged. I truly believe women supporting women can be incredibly powerful, and I carry that mindset with me always. I hope to create a space and a community where opportunities and possibilities feel limitless, the same way the UAE built for its people.
Which Emirati women inspire you and how do you hope to inspire others?
I’m inspired by Emirati women across so many different sectors from government, sports and entrepreneurs to the women leading their families and homes by how they continue to lead, create, achieve and make an impact in their own different ways. I hope to inspire others by showing that you don’t have to follow an existing path. You can create your own opportunities, build something that reflects who you are, be ambitious and set the bar high, be creative, continue to educate and evolve yourself, while always remaining deeply connected to your culture. Have the vision to see what could exist, see how your background and education can add value to your country, and create the opportunity rather than wait for one.
Which cherished Emirati tradition do you hope to pass on to the next generation?
Hospitality. Emirati hospitality is something I find very special because it goes far beyond serving coffee or welcoming someone into your home. It is generosity, warmth and making someone feel cared for and included. I think that has naturally shaped the way I approach business too. I hope the next generation carries that same spirit forward and understands that our traditions can continue to inspire the way we create, lead and do business today. Shop now
