Selection Criteria in the list

The 2025 edition of the ‘UAE Women Pioneers’ list highlights 100 pioneering Emirati women who have made pivotal contributions to the UAE’s development journey. They have been at the forefront of change, growth, and progress across vital sectors, and have served as a source of inspiration for a new generation of women both within the country and beyond.

Criteria for selection

The Manhom editorial team selected the women featured in this list based on a comprehensive set of qualitative and quantitative criteria, including:

• Achievement and impact: Encompassing initiatives and projects they launched or helped lead, as well as their lasting and positive influence within their communities or professional fields.
   
• Change and inspiration: The 2025 list recognizes Emirati women who have driven cultural, economic, or institutional transformations, inspired younger generations, and paved the way for future female leadership.
   
• Academic and professional qualifications: Selection also considered advanced education—whether in the UAE or abroad—as well as professional expertise and leadership roles. 

The list additionally accounts for local and international recognitions awarded to Emirati women, reflecting acknowledgment of their achievements.

The editorial team ensured diverse sectoral representation, covering:

• Government leadership and public policy
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Health and medicine
• Education and research
• Culture and the arts
• Media and communications
• Science and technology
• Philanthropy and community work
• Sports and women’s empowerment 

Stages of preparation

1. In-depth research within the Manhom database: The list team analyzed professional biographies, achievements, and contributions of Emirati women documented in the platform’s database over the years.
    
2. External research through documents and digital sources: The team conducted qualitative and quantitative online research, drawing on government reports, media archives, academic publications, and trusted local and international references.
    
3. Expert and stakeholder nominations: The editorial team consulted experts and advisors in public policy, women’s empowerment, and institutional development, who provided nominations aligned with the list’s criteria.
    
4. Comprehensive editorial review and verification: Each nominee’s profile underwent rigorous fact-checking by the editorial team to ensure accuracy, credibility, and balanced representation across regions, sectors, and both public and private institutions. 

Additional Considerations

The list seeks to represent different generations, from pioneering trailblazers to emerging young leaders. It also features women who, despite being outside the media spotlight, have made profound impacts within their fields.

Note: The names featured serve as a starting point for a list that could expand further across the included sectors. This edition is both a foundation and an incentive for many more women to be recognized in future editions of the ‘Pioneers’ series.