Quote of H.E. Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre of the occasion of Emirati Women's Day 2020:

United Arab Emirates, August 29, 2020:   “The wise leadership of our nation has empowered Emirati women through a long-term vision, based on the belief that women play a pivotal role in the process of building, developing, and strengthening the position of the UAE as a global leader. The success of Emirati women is a translation of thisvision. The UAE has also succeeded in being a leader in women's empowerment in the region. Emirati women’s achievements and successes have been celebrated locally and internationally and has become an example to be emulated in empowering and supporting women.

Emirati women do not know the impossible and their experiences and expertise shine brightly across all sectors and fields. Furthermore, theyare guided by the wise leadership of the Mother of the Nation, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, who has added human dimensions to women's work through her important initiatives to empower women in the Emirates.

The leadership recognizes the achievements of these forward-thinking Emirati women and their role as a key partner in sustainable development, creativity, and innovation in the UAE.This is due to the progressive model that proves to the world that women in the UAE are aware of their responsibilities, and are empowered to keep pace with the need of the hour, while presenting a message befitting of our beloved country.

We believe that women at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have played a significant role in strengthening the scientific community at the local and international level. We have established a space sector in which Emirati women have,with their competencies and capabilities, contributed to achieving the goals of MBRSC along with the vision of the UAE’s space sector. They have proven their aptitude and competence in the field of scientific research and various functions of the Centre. 

34% of the team that worked on the Emirates Mars Mission “Hope Probe” were women, which is one of the highest in the world for such a project. Moreover,80% of the scientific team for the mission were women. Women comprised 70% of the team behind the UAE Astronaut Programme, which gave us the first Emirati astronaut. Women also make up 42% of the workforce at MBRSC. All these are indicators that make us proud of the influential role that women play in our society. It also reflects the empowerment of women and their active participation in the development process of the Emirati community. Emirati women will continue to be an integral part of MBRSC. Our priority is to empowerwomen and make them a key pillar in the development of the space sector.

Emirati women have stood by us since the beginning of our journey – from launching the first 100% Emirati satellite to sending the first Emirati astronaut into space and launching the first Arab interplanetary probe. Together, we will continue on our journey of exploration, to keep our country among the leading nations of the world and our women will remain a role model for everyone who is seeking to achieve the impossible.

In the context of preparing for the next fifty years, Emirati women have demonstrated their capabilities across all fields, and have made a real difference as we prepare to enter a new era. The presence of Emirati women in organisations across our nation has become a part of the identity of the UAE, and an essential component for achieving the vision of our ambitious leadership.”